North Korea says it will launch intercontinental ballistic missile

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects what it says is the Hwasong 18 intercontinental ballistic missile on April 13, 2023 at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Independent journalist sources were not given access to cover the event, which is depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. This image is provided as provided and cannot be independently verified. Japan's Coast Guard said the notice from North Korean waterway authorities said the launch window was from May 31 and June 11 and that the launch may affect waters in the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and east of the Philippines' Luzon Island.

Japan's Coast Guard issued a safety warning for ships that would pass through the area during the launch window.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has directed the prime minister to do their utmost to gather and analyze information related to the launch and inform people about it, the prime minister's office said.

Pyongyang said its first military spy satellite was ready for launch early this month. The U.N. Security Council resolutions requiring long-range missile technology to be used to launch such a mission would be based on the long-range missile technology banned by past U.N. Security Council resolutions.

However, North Korea's recent launches have shown an ability to send a satellite into space, but there are questions about the satellite's capabilities.