North Korea appears to have fired a missile into the sea

(TOKYO) — North Korea launched a missile into the sea on Monday, Japan and South Korea said, hours after North Korea announced plans to launch a rocket into orbit apparently carrying its second military reconnaissance satellite had.

North Korea had previously notified Japan’s coast guard of its plans to launch “a satellite rocket” during a launch window from Monday to June 3.

The Japanese prime minister’s office lifted a missile alert for Okinawa island after North Korea’s launch, saying the missile was not likely headed to the region.

North Korea sent its first military reconnaissance satellite into space last November as part of efforts to build a space-based surveillance network to deal with what it calls increasing US-led military threats. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later told a ruling party meeting that the country would launch three additional military spy satellites in 2024.

The UN bans North Korea from carrying out satellite launches, considering them a cover for testing long-range missile technology. North Korea has steadfastly maintained that it has the right to launch satellites and test missiles. Kim has said spy satellites will allow his military to better monitor U.S. and South Korean military activities and increase the threat from his nuclear missiles.

North Korea provides Japan with its launch information because the Japanese Coast Guard coordinates and disseminates maritime security information in East Asia.