Despite Missile Launches, South Korea-US-Japan Unable to Provoke North Korea... North Also Moderates Its Level

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Following reports that North Korea launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), the United Nations Security Council convened a closed emergency meeting. The three countries?South Korea, the United States, and Japan?expressed regret and condemnation while mentioning "dialogue," showing efforts not to provoke North Korea. Since Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, did not directly observe the launch, it appears North Korea also tried not to cross the "red line."

Major foreign media outlets reported on the 19th (local time) that the Security Council plans to hold a closed emergency meeting on the 20th (local time) regarding North Korea's ballistic missile test launch. Diplomatic sources said the meeting was convened at the request of the United Kingdom and the United States.

Meanwhile, South Korea and the United States pointed out that North Korea's missile launch violates Security Council resolutions but issued somewhat restrained responses. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated on the 19th (local time), "It is a violation of multiple Security Council resolutions and a regional threat," condemning the act and urging restraint from further provocations. At the same time, she emphasized "meetings without preconditions" and called for North Korea to return to the denuclearization negotiation table.

On the same day, during the South Korea-U.S.-Japan senior nuclear talks held in Washington D.C., concerns about North Korea's missile were shared. However, according to a South Korean official, opinions were also exchanged that "this is an example showing the need to engage North Korea in dialogue as soon as possible." The day before, the Blue House held a National Security Council (NSC) standing committee meeting and used the expression "deep regret" instead of "provocation."

This atmosphere relates to the reality that the South Korean, U.S., and Japanese governments are discussing measures such as a declaration to formally end the Korean War to lead North Korea to the dialogue table, but there is a concern that provoking North Korea could eliminate even the opportunity for dialogue. North Korea insists that if a declaration to end the war is to be pursued, the "double standards" that define their strengthening of defense capabilities as "provocation" must first be abolished.

The three countries?South Korea, the United States, and Japan?are expected to continue consultations with the stance of leading North Korea to the dialogue table. Experts analyze that General Secretary Kim is also employing a strategy to gain an advantage in negotiations by controlling the level of provocations. Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, said, "North Korea's SLBM launch is partly about arms competition with the South, but with Kim Jong-un's absence, the level was controlled to some extent," adding, "It can be seen as leaving room for dialogue after all."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.