North Korea’s decision to launch its second spy satellite has raised tensions that go beyond its immediate neighbourhood. The hermit kingdom often makes headlines for its rocket launches. This one scheduled to be launched on or before 4th June is pushing up the heat more than usual as it is believed that the Kim Jung Un regime is testing an intercontinental ballistic missile in the garb of a satellite launch. Such launches from North Korea are also banned under United Nations resolutions.
North Korea, despite facing heavy sanctions over its belligerent stance, has continued to hold missile tests and rocket launches. The launch, if successful, will put North Korea’s second spy satellite into orbit. The Kim regime says that the satellite will help it better track American and South Korean militaries in the region, adding that the satellite will also help improve the precision strike capability of its missiles.
The notification of the launch came as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was meeting Japanese Prime Minister Kishida and China’s Premier Li Qiang, as the three countries held their first trilateral meeting in over four years. The information linked to the launch was shared by the Kim regime with Japan as the island nation coordinates and distributes maritime safety information in the East Asian region. South Korean President Yoon stated that the global community must take action if North Korea tests ballistic missile technology.
South Korea, Japan and United States will insist with the North Koreans to not launch the rocket. The South Koreans have said that the launch of the satellite will be a ‘provocation that will undermine regional security’. In a show of force, the South Korean Air Force held an exercise, involving 50 front-line fighters including the recently inducted F-35s. F-16s and indigenously built FA-50s also took part in the exercise.
Dhruv Yadav
