South Korea’s presidential office has denounced North Korea’s firing of over 10 short-range ballistic missiles and instructed its military to remain on high alert during joint military exercises with the United States. Following the missile launches from the Pyongyang area towards the eastern sea of the Korean Peninsula, an emergency security meeting was held with officials from the Defence Ministry and military authorities.
The presidential office stated that the ballistic missile launches violate UN Security Council resolutions and demanded North Korea to cease such actions immediately. South Korea’s response posture was evaluated, security implications were assessed, and necessary measures were discussed in the meeting, according to the office.
The missiles traveled approximately 300 kilometers towards the sea, as reported by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. These launches occurred after South Korea and the U.S. announced the reduction of their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, which President Donald Trump had ordered to be substantially reduced, citing a positive relationship with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s non-support in the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Kim Yo Jong, the spokesperson for North Korea, dismissed Trump’s proposal, emphasizing that reducing the drills’ duration and size does not alter their provocative nature. She mentioned previous military drills by the U.S. and South Korea this year, along with South Korea’s plans to introduce nuclear-powered submarines.
A professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, Yang Moo-jin, interpreted the missile launches as signaling opposition to the joint military exercises, expressing discontent over discussions on North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, and cautioning against speculation on Pyongyang’s security matters. Trump’s past reactions to North Korean missile tests were highlighted, indicating a shift in approach from initial threats to subsequent diplomatic engagements without significant progress.
Moreover, Japan reported a ballistic missile launch by North Korea towards the sea, which appeared to have landed outside Japan’s economic zone. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during his visit to Seoul, encouraged South Korea to remain neutral between Beijing and Washington, advocating for a peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula and emphasizing strengthened relations between China and North Korea through recent meetings between Kim and Xi Jinping.