North Korea set to launch military satellite in 3rd attempt

ANKARA

North Korea has said it will launch its military satellite into space during a nine-day window beginning Wednesday.

Pyongyang notified Japan of its plan to launch the satellite aboard a rocket, its third such attempt.

The launch window will start at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday (1501GMT Tuesday) and close at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported, citing the Japan Coast Guard.

Pyongyang failed twice in May and August to successfully launch its satellite.

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida directed his government to attempt to talk with North Korea to drop its plan.

“If (North Korea) uses ballistic missile technology, that will constitute a violation of UN Security Council resolutions even if it is aimed at launching a satellite,” Kishida said.

Meanwhile, a US nuclear-powered vessel arrived at a naval base in Busan, South Korea, on Tuesday.

The development came just hours after North Korea notified Japan of its plan to launch a space rocket, according to Yonhap News Agency.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid