North Korea has informed Japan of its plans to launch a military satellite between May 31 and June 11. Experts believe that this move is an attempt to develop its surveillance capabilities in order to improve its ability to strike targets during a conflict. The country has ramped up its missile and weapons tests recently, including a new intercontinental ballistic missile made from solid fuel. The Japanese government has urged North Korea to cancel the plan and will work closely with its allies to collect and analyze information from the launch. North Korea had previously announced the completion of its first spy satellite and according to North Korean state media KCNA, Kim Jong Un has approved the next steps of the non-permanent satellite-launching preparatory committee. Earlier, the country also criticized the US, Japan, and South Korea for discussing ways to share real-time data on Pyongyang’s missile launches, referring to it as “sinister measures”.