CAAP alerts pilots on North Korea's satellite launch

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Thursday said it issued several notices to airmen (NOTAM) in relation to North Korea's satellite launch.

The NOTAM became effective on 7:45 a.m. of August 24 and will last until 8:15 a.m. of September 1, 2023 (Philippine time).

According to CAAP, the NOTAM "provides information about the time period during which North Korea will be conducting satellite launching activities in specific geographical coordinates."

CAAP also said certain area navigation route segments are temporarily closed due to North Korea's activity.

Alternative routes are also provided for aircraft navigation during the period, it added.

Citing South Korea's military, a Reuters report on Friday said North Korea launched what appeared to be a space rocket, in what would be the North's second such attempt this year after a May launch crashed.

The launch prompted an emergency warning in Japan just before 4 a.m. local time (1900 GMT) over the J-alert broadcasting system, telling residents of the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa to take cover indoors.

Pyongyang has said it needs a military reconnaissance satellite to boost monitoring of US military activities. —KBK, GMA Integrated News