North Korea Launches Spy Satellite into Orbit, Prompting Condemnation from the International Community

The National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson released a statement on Tuesday, condemning North Korea’s attempt to launch its first spy satellite into orbit. According to South Korea and Japan, this is the third attempt this year.

The rocket launch carrying the satellite into space was detected by South Korea’s military. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff also said North Korea had fired what was believed to be a spy satellite toward the south. North Korea successfully launched a surveillance satellite into orbit late Tuesday night, according to its state media.

The launch of a possible ballistic missile toward the south prompted Japan to briefly issue an advisory in the southern prefecture of Okinawa, telling residents to remain inside or underground. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the launch and said no damage had been confirmed so far.

In a post on X, the prime minister’s office said the missile was believed to have “passed into” the Pacific Ocean around 10:55 p.m. (8:55 a.m. ET) and that the advisory had been lifted. Watson’s statement called the launch “a brazen violation of multiple international laws and norms.”

The international community is closely monitoring the situation and the potential implications of North Korea’s actions. It remains to be seen how the international community will respond to this latest provocation.