Yoon's Fourth Day of Mourning... NSC Convened Again Amid Second Day of North Korean Provocations

NSC "North Korea neglects residents and human rights amid economic crisis and COVID, squandering massive resources" lamented
Yoon expressed "deep anger at provocations during mourning period" on Facebook the previous day

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] North Korea launched ballistic missiles for the second consecutive day, prompting President Yoon Suk-yeol and the presidential office to respond urgently.

On the morning of the 3rd, the presidential office convened an emergency National Security Council (NSC) Standing Committee meeting chaired by Kim Sung-han, Director of the National Security Office.

After paying respects at the Itaewon disaster memorial, President Yoon arrived at the Yongsan presidential office at 9:08 a.m., attended the NSC Standing Committee meeting, received a situation report, and gave instructions on response measures.

President Yoon stated, "As North Korea is escalating its provocations, ensure there is not the slightest gap in protecting the lives and safety of our people by thoroughly maintaining the ROK-U.S. combined defense posture." He also instructed, "Strengthen the ROK-U.S. extended deterrence capabilities further and expand ROK-U.S.-Japan security cooperation."

NSC Standing Committee attendees particularly condemned North Korea’s behavior of recklessly exhausting vast resources solely on provocations while disregarding the livelihood and human rights of its people suffering from severe economic hardship and COVID-19. They pointed out, "North Korea’s continued provocations only further isolate the country and darken the future of the North Korean regime."

Before attending the NSC meeting, President Yoon visited the memorial for the fourth consecutive day, fulfilling his promise to pay respects throughout the mourning period. On the morning of the 3rd, he visited the joint memorial set up at Seoul City Hall Plaza with Chief of Staff Kim Dae-gi, Senior Secretary for Civil Society Kang Seung-gyu, and Senior Secretary for Public Relations Kim Eun-hye. After a moment of silence at the joint memorial, President Yoon read the photos, letters, and messages of the deceased.

The day before, just before paying respects, President Yoon was informed of North Korea’s ballistic missile launch that crossed the Northern Limit Line (NLL) for the first time since the division of Korea. He returned to the Yongsan presidential office at 9:10 a.m. and chaired an emergency NSC meeting.

After chairing the NSC, President Yoon strongly criticized on Facebook, "While the entire nation was immersed in grief over the Itaewon disaster, North Korea carried out a surprise provocation with multiple missiles, including ballistic missiles." He added, "This missile provocation, which crossed the NLL for the first time since the division, constitutes an actual territorial infringement. Moreover, I feel deep anger at North Korea’s provocation during our national mourning period."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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