Lee Jae-myung "Condemn North Korean Missiles... Urge Presidential Candidates to Jointly Declare Demand for North Korean Provocation Halt"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, condemned North Korea's missile launch on the 30th and once again called for a joint declaration among presidential candidates.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Candidate Lee stated, "North Korea launched another ballistic missile this morning. The level of provocation is escalating. I strongly condemn this." He added, "On the 27th, I proposed a joint declaration among ruling and opposition presidential candidates urging North Korea to stop provocations and interference in the presidential election," and said, "I once again request opposition presidential candidates to respond to this."

Lee said, "North Korea's provocative acts are very wrong actions that undermine peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," and expressed serious concern that "we may return to the highly tense military standoff situation of 2017."

He also urged the government and military authorities to maintain a firm security posture. Candidate Lee requested, "I hope our military and government will make every effort to maintain a solid state of readiness."

According to military authorities, North Korea launched a ballistic missile over the East Sea at 7:52 a.m. on the same day. This was three days after firing two ground-to-ground tactical guided missiles on the 27th, marking the seventh show of force since the beginning of the new year.

President Moon Jae-in chaired an emergency full meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) on the day and called the launch "a challenge to the international community's efforts for denuclearization, peace, and stability on the Korean Peninsula, as well as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions," urging, "North Korea to cease acts of tension and pressure and respond to dialogue proposals from the Republic of Korea, the United States, and the international community."

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