Japan: "We are ready to respond to the launch of the North Korean spy satellite"

Japan stands ready to respond to a North Korean spy satellite launch if needed. This was stated by the Japanese defense minister, Yasukazu Hamada, according to the "Kyodo" news agency. "We will prepare ourselves to be able to respond to any circumstance that may cause harm to Japan," he said. According to North Korean media, leader Kim Jong Un ordered the national space agency to complete preparations for the launch of the satellite, without however specifying the launch date. According to the official North Korean news agency, Kim would order the deployment of "several reconnaissance satellites" in the future, stating that "the possession and use of military reconnaissance assets" is important in light of strengthening ties between the United States and Korea of the South. In December, the agency reported that the North Korean space agency would complete preparations for the launch of its first military reconnaissance satellite by April 2023. The Japanese defense ministry's order precedes next week's bilateral between the US President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Washington. At the center of the meeting will be the measures to be taken in the face of missile and nuclear threats from North Korea.