SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s military says North Korea has launched a purported space launch vehicle after announcing a plan to put its first military spy satellite into orbit.
On Wednesday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the South did not immediately provide further details of the flight. After the launch, officials in South Korea’s capital, Seoul, sent out alerts via public loudspeakers and smartphones to residents to prepare for evacuation, but there were no immediate reports of damage or disruption.
Japan’s coast guard said on Monday that North Korea informed it of a plan to launch a satellite between May 31 and June 11.
A satellite launch by North Korea is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions that ban the country from using ballistic technology because it is considered a cover for missile testing.