The easiest way to orbit is to launch due east, taking advantage of the earth’s rotation. The satellite, however will follow a great circle tangent to the direction at deployment. Basically, if they want to replicate a sputnik like orbit, it would be a low earth (like 150 miles altitude) circular orbit, something like the equator but tilted so that most northly point would be the latitude of launch and the most southerly point the latitude of it’s antipode. The orbit would more or less remain fixed in space ( for the purpose of this conversation) but the earth would orbit under it, meaning that very point between these extremes would pass under its orbit.
Of course, a launch to east brings it over Japan. It’s pretty easy to tell whether or not a ballistic (not thrusting) trajectory will impact land or continue in orbit. During boost you cannot tell where it will wind up until the rocket motor cuts off.
The last N. Korean launch was unannounced and sailed right over Japan, which the Japanese did not take kindly to, in the least. It was also on a northeasterly course which took it over the heart of Japan and if it had had more velocity would have taken it on over Alaska and then down the west coast of the United States.
There are other considerations when planning a launch, such as range safety and the desired inclination of the final orbit. But a beginner would probably be satisfied with a successful launch towards the east.