Presidential Office Holds NSC Standing Committee Meeting... "Condemns North Korea's Missile Provocations"

NSC Standing Committee "Strong Condemnation... Will Cooperate Closely with the International Community"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Presidential Office held an emergency National Security Council (NSC) meeting on the 1st in response to North Korea's launch of two ballistic missiles.

Through a press release that morning, the Presidential Office stated, "President Yoon Suk-yeol was immediately briefed on the situation regarding North Korea's ballistic missile launch. The National Security Office, chaired by Kim Sung-han, Director of the National Security Office, convened an emergency NSC Standing Committee meeting to receive a report from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, assess the situation, and review response measures."

It added, "The NSC Standing Committee members strongly condemned North Korea's continuous violation of UN Security Council resolutions by launching ballistic missiles and agreed to closely cooperate with the United States, allied countries, and the international community."

The attendees particularly noted that the interval between provocations has shortened, with North Korea launching ballistic missiles four times over the past week, including on Armed Forces Day, and that the launches occurred from multiple locations.

North Korea launched one short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) from the Taechon area in North Pyongan Province on the 25th of last month, followed by two SRBMs from the Sunan area in Pyongyang on the 28th, and two SRBMs from the Sunchon area in South Pyongan Province on the 29th, all toward the East Sea.

This marks the 20th ballistic missile launch by North Korea this year. They have also launched cruise missiles twice. Since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration in May, this is the eighth such launch.

The Presidential Office stated, "(The attendees) deplored North Korea's focus on provocations despite the severe economic difficulties and public health crisis affecting the people's livelihood," and added, "On the occasion of Armed Forces Day, we will demonstrate the combined defense capabilities and resolve of our military and the ROK-U.S. alliance, and maintain a robust readiness posture capable of immediate and effective response to any provocation by North Korea."

The emergency NSC Standing Committee meeting was attended by Kim Sung-han, Director of the National Security Office; Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Kwon Young-se, Minister of Unification; Kim Kyu-hyun, Director of the National Intelligence Service; Kim Tae-hyo, Secretary General of the NSC; and Kim Seung-gyeom, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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