Kim Jong Un gives field guidance in South Pyongan Province

North Korea is poised to take another attempt at placing a claimed spy satellite into orbit as soon as Thursday, a second try this year that comes some…..three months after its acknowledged “gravest failure.”

Pyongyang notified Japan its launch window….for a satellite launch is Aug. 24 to 31, Tokyo said Tuesday, without specifying the satellite’s type.

In reaction, the Japan Coast Guard posted coordinates that include waters west of the Korean peninsula, the East China Sea and waters….east of the Philippines’ Luzon island as potential danger zones and called on vessels traveling through them to exercise caution.

,,,,The prime minister’s office in Japan said it strongly urged North Korea to refrain from firing what it refers to as a “satellite,” adding it was collecting information and working with the U.S., South Korea and other concerned parties.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida….told reporters it would be “extremely regrettable” if North Korea went ahead with its launch.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry, in charge of inter-Korean affairs, echoed the view and called on Pyongyang to immediately halt its plan. North Korea’s claimed satellite test utilizes ballistic missile technology that is banned under United Nations….Security Council resolutions, which cannot be justified under any circumstance, it said.

,,,,,,Many observers view North Korea’s claimed rocket launches as a way to forward its ballistic weapons program under the guise of a civilian program.