This photo, provided by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency, shows the launch of the North's new Chollima-1 rocket, apparently carrying the Malligyong-1 military reconnaissance satellite, from Tongchang-ri on the reclusive state's west coast, June 1, 2023. Yonhap

WASHINGTON (Yonhap) — The United States urged North Korea on Monday to refrain from further "unlawful" activities and return to dialogue, after Pyongyang has notified Japan of a plan to launch a space rocket to put a satellite into orbit before June 4.

A State Department spokesperson made the call, reiterating that any launch using ballistic missile technology, including that of a space launch vehicle, runs afoul of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.

The North has notified Japan's Coast Guard of the launch plan as it seeks to launch three more satellites this year. It put its first military reconnaissance satellite into orbit in November.

"Space launch?vehicles incorporate technologies that are identical to, and interchangeable with, those used in ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles," the spokesperson said in response to a question from Yonhap News Agency.

"We urge the DPRK to refrain from further unlawful activity and call on Pyongyang to engage in serious and sustained diplomacy," the official added, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

In its notice to Japan, the North designated three areas where debris will fall -- two west of the Korean Peninsula and the other east of the Philippines' island of Luzon, according to Kyodo News.

Observers said the North appears intent to secure intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets as it is far behind the allies in ISR capabilities despite its focus on developing an array of formidable weapons systems, including submarine-launched ballistic missiles and tactical nuclear arms. (Yonhap)

（作者：汽车电瓶）