Fearing North Korea's missile launch, South Korea issues travel advisory for ships

SGGPO 11/21/2023 10:37

On November 21, South Korea issued a travel advisory for ships, after North Korea announced plans to launch a satellite between November 22 and December 1.

The warning was issued at 2:30 a.m. after North Korea informed the Japanese Coast Guard of the plan, which said the satellite would be launched toward the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea, Yonhap news agency reported.

Bức ảnh cho thấy một vụ phóng tên lửa Chollima-1của Triều Tiên, được cho là mang theo một vệ tinh trinh sát quân sự Malligyong-1, từ Tongchang-ri tại bờ biển phía Tây trên lãnh thổ Triều Tiên hồi tháng 5. Ảnh: Yonhap

This photo shows a launch of North Korea's Chollima-1 rocket, believed to be carrying a Malligyong-1 military reconnaissance satellite, from Tongchang-ri on the west coast in North Korean territory in May. Photo: Yonhap

According to Japan, the announcement clearly stated three sea areas believed to be within the range of missile debris that could fall, including two areas west of the Korean peninsula and an area east of the Philippines' Luzon island.

In response to this information, also on the morning of November 21, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida asked relevant ministries and agencies to be prepared to deal with a satellite launch from North Korea. Mr. Kishida said that Japan will make every effort to collect and analyze information about the launch, and will coordinate with the US and South Korea to persuade Pyongyang to cancel this plan.

Meanwhile, South Korea said Pyongyang could accelerate its intention to launch the satellite “as early as this week,” and urged the North Korean government to “immediately” halt preparations for the launch. Lieutenant General Kang Ho-pil, executive director of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Seoul would take “necessary measures” if North Korea went ahead with the launch.

North Korea had initially planned to launch a new satellite in October after two failed launches in August and May this year, Reuters reported. However, the plan was not carried out last month, raising speculation that more time may be needed to prepare. Seoul and Washington have warned North Korea against the launch, saying it would violate UN Security Council resolutions banning any launches using ballistic missile technology.

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