According to Yonhap news agency, on May 29, the National Security Council (NSC) of South Korea convened an emergency meeting after receiving information that North Korea was preparing to launch a satellite.
The meeting of the NSC standing committee, chaired by National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong, was convened after Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that North Korea had notified Japanese authorities of Pyongyang's plan to launch a satellite between May 31 and June 11. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno confirmed the information.
According to South Korean officials, NSC members discussed countermeasures against the move. The NSC submitted relevant information to President Yoon Suk-yeol.
South Korea's National Security Office said it is "closely monitoring related developments." Meanwhile, the South Korean Foreign Ministry has urged North Korea to withdraw its satellite launch plan.
For its part, Japan expressed concern that North Korea might test-launch a ballistic missile instead of a satellite as announced.
According to Kyodo News, Japan's Self-Defense Forces said North Korea had identified three dangerous areas in the sea where the projectiles could fall during the launch, including two areas west of the Korean Peninsula and one area east of the Philippines. All of these areas are outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
Speaking to reporters, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stressed that Tokyo considers North Korea's launch of a satellite-carrying rocket equivalent to a ballistic missile test, based on what has happened before.
Prime Minister Kishida also said he had instructed relevant Japanese ministries to coordinate with the US and South Korea to urge Pyongyang to "exercise restraint".
VNA
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