North Korea Launches Suspected Spy Satellite

South Korea and Japan announced that "North Korea launched a missile believed to carry a satellite today, marking Pyongyang's third attempt to place a spy satellite in orbit this year." The Japanese government issued an emergency alert for residents in the south to seek shelter from the potential threat of a North Korean missile. Through the country's emergency broadcasting system, the Japanese government urged residents in Okinawa to take cover inside buildings or underground. The Japanese Broadcasting Corporation reported that a source from the Ministry of Defense indicated that the missile was likely a satellite. It later reported that the missile appeared to be heading toward the Pacific around 10:55 PM local time, prompting the lifting of the emergency alert. The South Korean military stated its belief that the missile was carrying a spy satellite and was launched toward the south. The Japanese Coast Guard reported on Tuesday that "North Korea had informed it of the launch towards the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea." The South Korean agency responsible for maritime safety issued a warning to ships prior to the planned launch. North Korea had attempted to launch what it described as spy satellites twice earlier this year, but both attempts ended in failure.