Japan threatens to destroy North Korean spy rocket

Published May 29th, 2023 - 06:42 GMT
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida answers questions from reporters after North Korea announced it would launch a satellite, at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on May 29, 2023. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP)

ALBAWABA - Japan threatened North Korea to take down a spying missile that the latter is planning to launch between May 31 and June 11.

Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, stated that the launch of any rockets by North Korea, even if referred to as a satellite launch, endangers the safety of Japanese civilians. “The government recognizes that there is a possibility that the satellite may pass through our country’s territory.”  The Guardian reported.

Earlier in April, Pyongyang announced that the missile preparations are in their final stages to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite. Analysts say that a military satellite would strengthen North Korea's observation capabilities as well as its ability to hit targets in the case of war.

“We strongly urge North Korea to refrain from launching,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Twitter account reported. They also said that Japan will be cooperating with “relevant countries such as the US and South Korea”. 

 

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