South Korea threatens North Korea with consequences for satellite launch

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea threatened North Korea on Monday that if it pursued its plan to launch a spy satellite, Pyongyang would pay "due prices" and suffer "pain."

North Korea must immediately withdraw its "provocative actions that threaten global peace," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lim Soo-suk said, warning that if the launch goes ahead as planned, North Korea will face consequences and pay "due prices" and suffer "pain," Yonhap News Agency reported, citing an official statement.

Recent Pyongyang statements indicated that the necessary preparations for deploying its first military reconnaissance satellite on a rocket had been completed, raising speculation that the launch could take place as early as June.

In response to the latest developments on the Korean Peninsula, South Korea called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council to discuss the situation.

Meanwhile, Japan also expressed concern on Monday that North Korea may test a ballistic missile instead of launching a reconnaissance satellite between May 31 and June 11, in what Tokyo described as another step toward Pyongyang developing nuclear and missile capabilities.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters carrying out the plan would violate UN Security Council resolutions that impose sanctions on North Korea for its weapons-related activity, according to a local news agency.

North Korea said it will outline three maritime danger zones where objects may fall during the period, Kyodo News reported.

The missile launch would be of "great concern," as it could jeopardize the "safety of the people," Kishida said, adding that he has instructed relevant ministries to urge Pyongyang to "exercise self-restraint," making the call in conjunction with the US and South Korea.​​​​​​​

North Korea's missile could fly over Japanese territory, including the Nansei Islands, which stretch southwest from Kyushu toward Taiwan, the news agency reported, citing Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.

Pyongyang has informed Tokyo of its intention to launch the satellite between May 31 and June 11.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un emphasizes his party's policy of bolstering defense capabilities and developing the country's space military, science, and technology.

"Successfully launching the military reconnaissance satellite is an urgent requirement of the prevailing security environment of the country," he said.

Last month, Kim ordered preparations for the launch of the military spy satellite during a visit to the country’s space development agency, the National Aerospace Development Administration.