In a recent development, a North Korean rocket carrying its second spy satellite exploded midair shortly after liftoff, according to state media reports. The launch, which had drawn strong rebukes from neighboring countries, took place at the main northwestern space center in North Korea.

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed that the rocket blew up during its first-stage flight, indicating a suspected engine problem. Earlier in the day, North Korea had notified Japan's coast guard about its plans to launch a "satellite rocket," urging caution in the waters between the Korean Peninsula, China, and the main Philippine island of Luzon. The launch window was scheduled from Monday through June 3.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff detected a launch trajectory believed to be that of a spy satellite fired from North Korea's main space center at 10:44 p.m. on Monday. Just four minutes later, numerous fragments were observed in the nearby waters, as reported by KCNA.

Following North Korea's launch, the Japanese Prime Minister's Office issued a missile alert for Okinawa, which was subsequently lifted. Japanese public television NHK also shared an image captured in northeastern China showing an orange light in the sky followed by an apparent explosion.

This recent satellite launch attempt follows North Korea's successful deployment of its first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit in November of last year. The North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, had previously announced plans to launch three additional military spy satellites by 2024 as part of efforts to establish a space-based surveillance network to counter perceived U.S.-led military threats.

Despite the United Nations' ban on North Korea conducting satellite launches, viewing them as a cover for testing long-range missile technology, the nation has consistently asserted its right to launch satellites and test missiles. Kim Jong Un has emphasized that spy satellites will enhance the country's ability to monitor U.S. and South Korean military activities while bolstering the threat posed by its nuclear-capable missiles.

It is worth noting that North Korea provides launch information to Japan, as the latter's coast guard coordinates and distributes maritime safety information in East Asia. Notably, the recent rocket explosion occurred shortly after a trilateral meeting between the leaders of South Korea, China, and Japan in Seoul, marking their first such conference in over four years. The timing of this provocative military action by North Korea, while China is engaged in high-level diplomacy in the region, is highly unusual.

As investigations into the cause of the rocket explosion are likely to commence, international tension and concerns regarding North Korea's military activities and intentions are expected to increase.