Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada has ordered relevant units to possibly destroy a North Korean reconnaissance satellite, which is scheduled to be launched in the near future. This is reported by the Reuters news agency.
Hamada ordered the self-defense forces to make the necessary preparations, as he could potentially order the destruction of the target
reports Reuters.
Theoretically, the Japanese military could shoot down a satellite in low orbit from destroyers equipped with the AEGIS missile defense system. However, the head of the Japanese defense department fears that the wreckage could fall on residential areas of the country. In addition, in the event of the destruction of the North Korean satellite, there is a risk of aggravation of relations between Japan and the DPRK.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced the availability of the military reconnaissance satellite on Wednesday April 19. He said the satellite launch will continue despite threats from Japan. It is necessary for Pyongyang to counter threats from the United States and South Korea.
Kim Jong-un demonstrated a likely response to the downing of his satellite this week. North Korean television showed the successful test of a new solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile, which raised many questions in the West about Pyongyang’s excessive advances in missile technology.
A number of major publications have suggested that China and Russia are helping the DPRK in missile development. Italian media have even called relations between China, Russia and North Korea a “triangle of death” for the United States in the Pacific.
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