Japan confirms the launch of North Korea's spy satellite into orbit
Japan confirms the launch of North Korea's spy satellite into orbit (photo: GettyImages)
Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi confirmed that North Korea has placed some object into Earth's orbit, which could be a military spy satellite, according to Kyodo.
Kishi told reporters that the latest assessment was made in cooperation with the United States and South Korea but refrained from commenting on whether the North's satellite launch was successful.
He also stated that Japan would carefully analyze whether the object has been functioning according to its purpose since the launch.
North Korea's attempts to launch a spy satellite into orbit
In late May of this year, North Korea attempted to launch the spy satellite Malligyong-1, but the carrier rocket deviated, and it fell into the Yellow Sea.
Later, on June 16, South Korea recovered several parts of the rocket and satellite from the sea floor. After analyzing the found details, experts stated that the satellite had no utility as a reconnaissance satellite.
North Korea made a second attempt to launch a satellite on August 23. Tokyo claimed that Pyongyang used prohibited ballistic missile technology, and the projectile flew through the airspace near Okinawa.
On November 22, North Korea announced a successful launch of a ballistic missile with a spy satellite on board. South Korea's intelligence agency data suggests that North Korea received assistance from Russia for the successful launch of the spy satellite.
