Japan threatens to shoot down North Korean missiles.

Japan has declared its readiness to intercept any North Korean missiles that fall into its territory, following Pyongyang's announcement of plans to launch a satellite.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense announced today that Minister Yasukazu Hamada has ordered preparations to intercept any missile launched by North Korea, if it is confirmed that it will fall on Japanese territory. These preparations include deploying Patriot PAC-3 air defense missiles and Aegis destroyers equipped with SM-3 interceptor missiles.

The statement was issued after a Japanese coast guard official said North Korea had informed Japan of its plan to launch a satellite using a rocket between May 31 and June 11.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that any missile launch by North Korea, including satellite launches, violates United Nations Security Council resolutions and poses a serious threat to the safety of the Japanese people.

Security Council resolutions prohibit North Korea from testing ballistic missiles. However, Pyongyang argues that this ban does not apply to its civilian space program.

Japan, South Korea, and the United States all believe that North Korea's satellite launches are merely "cover" for missile tests, as they employ similar technology.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno asserted that "missile tests disguised as satellite launches" pose a threat to Japan's security, emphasizing that Tokyo will closely monitor the situation and respond if necessary.

The rocket was tested by North Korea in December 2022. Photo: KCNA — The rocket was tested by North Korea in December 2022. Photo: *KCNA*

In mid-month, North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency announced that Pyongyang had completed the construction of its first spy satellite. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un subsequently inspected a spy satellite base with his daughter, emphasizing that the successful launch was an "urgent requirement" that would "strengthen the country's defense capabilities."

Analysts believe the military satellites are part of North Korea's efforts to improve its surveillance and tracking technology to enhance its ability to strike targets in the event of a conflict.

Pyongyang has tested satellite systems in several missile launches. Leader Kim Jong-un has previously stated that North Korea is pursuing the goal of developing spy satellites to provide real-time information on the military actions of the United States and its allies.

The Security Council has imposed numerous sanctions in response to Pyongyang's previous nuclear and ballistic missile tests. The most recent satellite launch by North Korea was in February 2016, but Japan believes this was actually a test of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology.

Vu Anh (According to Reuters )

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