South Korea’s presidential office strongly denounced North Korea’s launch of over 10 short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday and 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 eastern sea 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 violation of UN Security Council resolutions, the presidential office called on North Korea to cease such actions immediately. South Korea’s response posture was reviewed, security implications were assessed, and necessary measures were discussed in the meeting, as stated by the office.
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missiles traveled approximately 300 kilometers towards the sea. The missile launches occurred a day after the South Korean and U.S. militaries announced the reduction of their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, which were scheduled to conclude by the end of Friday.
President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to significantly reduce the exercise just before its commencement on Monday, citing a positive relationship with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s non-participation in U.S. actions regarding Iran. When asked by reporters about a potential meeting with Kim this year, Trump confirmed his intention.
In response to Trump’s overture, Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister and a spokesperson for the regime, dismissed the reduction in military drills, emphasizing the continuing provocative nature of such actions. She also highlighted previous military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea and South Korea’s efforts to introduce nuclear-powered submarines.
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, suggested that the missile launch aimed to reinforce Kim Yo Jong’s earlier warning and communicate North Korea’s autonomy in security matters. The launch likely served purposes such as opposing the South Korea-U.S. military exercises, expressing discontent over discussions about North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, and cautioning against speculations on Pyongyang’s security affairs.
Reflecting on past interactions, Trump’s response to North Korean missile tests shifted from initial threats to eventual meetings with Kim, though significant diplomatic progress remained elusive. Trump has repeatedly questioned the cost of maintaining U.S. troops in South Korea and criticized South Korea’s financial contribution to their presence.
Additionally, 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. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during his visit to Seoul, urged South Korea to maintain neutrality between Beijing and Washington, advocating for a peaceful coexistence between South Korea and North Korea. Recent meetings between Kim and Xi Jinping indicate a strengthening of ties between China and North Korea.