NSC Meeting Held Over North Korea's Missile Provocation... "They Will Pay a Due Price"

NSC Standing Committee Led by Security Office Chief Focuses on North Korea's Solid Fuel Test... "Engaging in Illegal Activities Such as Cyber Hacking"

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] On the 18th, the Presidential Office held a Standing Committee meeting of the National Security Council (NSC), chaired by the National Security Office Director, to discuss countermeasures in response to North Korea's ballistic missile launch. The NSC condemned North Korea's missile provocation as a violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and strongly denounced it.

Lee Jae-myung, Deputy Spokesperson of the Presidential Office, told reporters at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon, "This morning, our military detected the launch of a North Korean quasi-medium-range ballistic missile," adding, "President Yoon Suk-yeol was immediately briefed, and the NSC Standing Committee meeting was convened under the chairmanship of National Security Office Director Kim Sung-han to receive a report from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and discuss response measures."

The Joint Chiefs of Staff detected the launch of two quasi-medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM) from the Dongchang-ri area in North Pyongan Province toward the East Sea between approximately 11:13 AM and 12:05 PM. Dongchang-ri is the site where North Korea conducted a test of a high-power rocket engine using solid fuel propulsion three days ago.

The NSC reportedly focused on North Korea's threat of force and the use of solid fuel propulsion. Deputy Spokesperson Lee added, "We condemned the Kim Jong-un regime for continuing missile provocations without regard for the suffering of residents enduring severe food shortages, cold, and hunger," and "We also condemned North Korea for admitting to cyber hacking, exploitation through dispatching overseas workers, and illegal activities."

A warning message was also issued. Deputy Spokesperson Lee explained, "Participants stated that North Korea's continued development and provocation of nuclear weapons and missiles across generations will endanger the North Korean regime and that it will pay a corresponding price," adding, "Furthermore, based on the strong ROK-US alliance, we will take all necessary measures to protect our people from North Korean provocations and ensure safety on the Korean Peninsula. We also agreed to continuously strengthen ROK-US-Japan security cooperation."

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