Pyongyang says it will attempt its latest satellite launch before December 2 as Japan and South Korea remain on standby. North Korea has said it plans to launch a spy satellite as early as Wednesday, following two unsuccessful attempts earlier this year. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida immediately spoke out against the plan, something North Korea regards as its sovereign right, along with its rocket programme. South Korea has been warning for weeks of the impending satellite launch, which they said would also violate a 2018 agreement designed to de-escalate tensions. South Korea separately plans to launch its own satellite from California on November 30 with US assistance.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 21, 2023 13:07 UTC