Japan raises its military alert for the possible launch of a North Korean spy satellite

22 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –

The Government of Japan has ordered the Armed Forces to begin preparations for the imminent launch of a spy satellite in North Korea, specifically due to the risk of rocket debris falling on Japanese territory.

The Japanese Defense Minister, Yasukazu Hamada, has given the order just a few days after the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, ordered his space agency to start final preparations for the launch, for which Pyongyang has not set a date.

The Japanese Armed Forces plan to deploy Patriot systems and send several ships equipped with the Aegis combat system, according to government sources quoted by the Kiodo news agency. It is also studying placing the more powerful PAC-3 system to extend its range.

“We will prepare ourselves to be able to respond to any circumstance that may cause damage in Japan,” one of the sources said.

The South Korean government has also warned in recent days of a possible “provocation” by the Kim Jong Un regime in the coming days, coinciding with a state visit to the United States by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.