North Korea has notified Japan it plans a fresh attempt to launch a satellite into space at some point between Thursday and 1 December, prompting immediate condemnation from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Paralel.Az reports citing The Guardian.

Japan’s coast guard said on Tuesday it had been informed that the trajectory of the rocket would take it in the direction of the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea. If carried out, it would probably mark a third attempt by the nuclear-armed state this year to put a spy satellite into orbit.

In response to Tuesday’s announcement, Kishida said his country’s defense systems, including the Aegis destroyers and PAC-3 air defense missiles, stood ready in case any “unexpected situation” arose.

“Even if the purpose is to launch a satellite, using ballistic missile technology is a violation of a series of UN Security Council resolutions,” Kishida told reporters. “It is also a matter that greatly affects national security.“

Japan will work with the US, South Korea and others to “strongly urge” North Korea not to go ahead with the launch, Kishida said.