South Korea’s presidential office has strongly criticized North Korea’s firing of over 10 short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday and has instructed its military to remain fully prepared during the ongoing joint exercises with the United States. Following the missile launches from the Pyongyang area towards the east of the Korean Peninsula, an emergency security meeting was held by the presidential office with officials from the Defence Ministry and military authorities in attendance.
Describing the ballistic missile launch as a serious breach of UN Security Council resolutions, the presidential office called on North Korea to immediately cease such provocative actions. South Korea’s response posture was reviewed by officials, who assessed the security implications of the missile launches and discussed necessary measures, as stated by the office.
The missiles traveled approximately 300 kilometers towards the sea, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. This missile activity occurred after the announcement of scaling back the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises by the South Korean and U.S. militaries, set to conclude by the end of Friday.
U.S. President Donald Trump had directed the Pentagon to significantly reduce the exercise just before it commenced on Monday, citing his positive relationship with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s non-participation in U.S. actions against Iran. Trump mentioned that North Korea possesses 57 potent nuclear weapons, a figure he had not previously disclosed, contrasting with South Korean officials’ estimates of 80 to 120 nuclear warheads.
Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister and a prominent spokesperson for the regime, challenged Trump’s peace overtures, emphasizing that the reduced military drills do not alter the aggressive nature of the exercises. She criticized the U.S. and South Korea for previous military drills and South Korea’s efforts to introduce nuclear-powered submarines.
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, analyzed the missile launch as a signal against the South Korea-U.S. military exercises, expressing discontent over discussions on North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and cautioning outside powers against speculation on Pyongyang’s security matters.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during his visit to Seoul, urged South Korea to maintain neutrality between Beijing and Washington and advocated for the U.S. to abandon its hostile stance towards North Korea. Wang emphasized China’s support for peaceful coexistence between South Korea and North Korea, highlighting recent strengthening ties between China and North Korea.
Japan’s government and coast guard reported a ballistic missile launch by North Korea towards the sea, with the projectile falling outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. This missile launch follows a series of recent activities by North Korea, signaling continued tensions in the region.