North Korea says it will launch its first military spy satellite in June

By KIM TONG-HYUNG and JON GAMBRELL
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea says it plans to launch its first military spy satellite in June. A military official described space-based reconnaissance as crucial for monitoring U.S. military exercises with South Korea. North Korea had told Japan’s coast guard on Monday that it plans to launch a satellite between May 31 and June 11 and that the event may affect nearby waters. Japan’s defense minister warned its forces to shoot down the satellite or debris if any enters Japanese territory. Satellite images taken Tuesday analyzed by The Associated Press show activity at a main pad at North Korea’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station, suggesting the satellite’s blast off would be soon.