‘No Sail, No Fly Zone, No Fishing’ Ordered Over Korea Rocket Launch - Philippines NDRRMC in high alert

MANILA, Philippines --- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) went on red alert effective Tuesday for the scheduled rocket launch of South Korea any time between January 30 and February 8.

In line with this, NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos said the "no sail, no fly, and no fishing zone" is again being imposed in areas where the rocket may pass over.

Ramos said the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has informed the NDRRMC of the new schedule of the launch of South Korea's 3rd Science and Technology Satellite - 2 (STSAT-2) aboard Kore Space Launch Vehicle - 1 (KSLV-1), which is expected to take place between Jan. 30 and Feb. 8 at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do.

"In view of the above, all concerned agencies will activate their respective disaster operation (DOCs) centers under red alert status from January 29 until further notice," said the NDRRMC in an advisory.

It added, "no sail zone, no fly zone, no fishing zone policy will be effective on the said dates."

The ban on sailing, flying, and fishing will particularly be in effect on areas at the eastern seaboard of the country.

Ramos identified the areas covered by the exclusion zone as Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Surigao Del Sur, and Surigao Del Norte, while the danger time is between 2:55 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

"If the launch will not push through tomorrow, the reserve dates are Jan. 31 until Feb. 8," said Ramos.

This will be the third time that South Korea will attempt to launch a satellite into space.