North Korea Fires 3 Ballistic Missiles... Yoon Holds First NSC Meeting (Comprehensive Report 2)

Start of North-China-Russia Counteraction Against Korea-US-Japan Cooperation
Yoon Orders Implementation of Strengthened Combined Defense Posture
Korea-US Governments Reaffirm Cooperation for Extended Deterrence Against North Korea

President Yoon Suk-yeol convened the National Security Council (NSC) on the morning of the 25th immediately after North Korea's missile provocation and instructed, "Implement practical measures such as the execution capability of extended deterrence agreed upon between the South Korea-US leaders and the strengthening of the combined defense posture." / Photo by the Office of the President

President Yoon Suk-yeol convened the National Security Council (NSC) on the morning of the 25th immediately after North Korea's missile provocation and instructed, "Implement practical measures such as the execution of extended deterrence agreed upon between the South Korea-US leaders and the strengthening of the combined defense posture." / Photo by the Office of the President

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are expected to escalate as North Korea launched three ballistic missiles on the 25th, immediately following U.S. President Joe Biden's Asia tour.

In particular, given that North Korea's provocation occurred after Chinese and Russian military aircraft repeatedly intruded into South Korea's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), some analysts view this as North Korea, China, and Russia beginning to counter the trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.

President Yoon Suk-yeol convened the National Security Council (NSC) immediately after the missile provocation and ordered, "Implement practical measures such as the execution of extended deterrence agreed upon between the South Korean and U.S. presidents and the strengthening of the combined defense posture."

The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on the 25th that North Korea launched three ballistic missiles between 6:00 a.m. and 6:42 a.m. from the Sunan area near Pyongyang. After analyzing the specifications, the Joint Chiefs estimated the missiles to be intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), which flew eastward at an altitude of 540 km and a distance of 360 km.

President Yoon convened the NSC that morning. This was the first time the president chaired the NSC since the new administration took office on the 10th.

During the NSC meeting, which lasted 1 hour and 3 minutes starting at 7:35 a.m., President Yoon received reports on North Korea's missile launch and the readiness posture, then urged, "Maintain a constant state of readiness so that there is not a single gap in the security of the Republic of Korea."

He added, "Based on South Korea-U.S. cooperation, closely collaborate with relevant countries and the international community to thoroughly implement international sanctions against North Korea, including United Nations Security Council resolutions."

He also instructed all ministries to thoroughly review the related situation and to do their utmost to ensure that there is no negative impact on the daily lives of citizens and the South Korean economy.

The meeting was attended by National Security Office Director Kim Sung-han, First Deputy Director Kim Tae-hyo, Second Deputy Director Shin In-ho, Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Dae-gi, Foreign Minister Park Jin, Unification Minister Kwon Young-se, Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, and First Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Service Kwon Chun-taek.

The government also issued a statement strongly criticizing North Korea, saying, "North Korea's consecutive launches of ballistic missiles, presumed to be ICBMs and short-range ballistic missiles, today are illegal acts that directly violate UN Security Council resolutions and constitute serious provocations threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula and the international community." It added, "North Korea's continued provocations can only lead to stronger and faster combined deterrence by South Korea and the U.S., and will only bring about North Korea's international isolation."

Furthermore, the government stated, "We maintain a constant state of readiness to respond strongly and effectively to any provocation by North Korea, and will take practical measures to protect the security of the Republic of Korea and the safety of its people based on the firm South Korea-U.S. alliance," urging, "North Korea must comply with UN Security Council resolutions and respond to dialogue for peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula."

Since the South Korea-U.S. leaders officially confirmed the deployment of U.S. strategic assets in emergencies for the first time, it is expected that South Korea's response level will also increase.

Earlier, the South Korea-U.S. leaders emphasized in their joint statement, "We reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to deploy strategic assets in a timely and coordinated manner if necessary."

After the NSC meeting, the South Korean government reiterated its diplomatic efforts to strengthen strong responses and extended deterrence through close cooperation with the U.S., including emergency phone calls.

Foreign Minister Park Jin held an emergency phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken after the NSC meeting. A trilateral foreign ministers' call among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan is also planned within this week.

Minister Park also convened a Foreign Ministry countermeasure meeting regarding North Korea's missile launches, stating, "Under a grave situation awareness, we must maintain close cooperation with major countries and lead a strong and resolute response from the international community." He emphasized, "Please swiftly coordinate with allied countries to ensure that a new (North Korea sanctions) resolution, currently under discussion at the Security Council since North Korea's ICBM launch on March 24, can be adopted."

National Security Office Director Kim Sung-han also held a phone consultation with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to coordinate responses related to the ballistic missile launches and shared evaluations of the recent South Korea-U.S. summit.

The Presidential Office stated, "Both sides shared the recognition that North Korea's consecutive ballistic missile launches today are a direct violation of Security Council resolutions and a serious provocation threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula and internationally. They urged North Korea to immediately cease provocations and respond to dialogue." It added, "Furthermore, based on the firm South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture, they agreed to continue close coordination on strong and effective response measures."

It also evaluated that through President Biden's recent successful visit to South Korea, a close personal bond and solid cooperative foundation between the two leaders have been established, and that the national security offices of both countries will continue to cooperate closely.

However, regarding humanitarian aid plans amid North Korea's COVID-19 crisis, the Presidential Office stated, "Humanitarian aid is separate," adding, "The government’s position to provide vaccines for North Korean residents remains unchanged, and we are naturally keeping the door open and waiting."

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