South Korea’s presidential office has strongly criticized North Korea’s recent launch of over 10 short-range ballistic missiles and has instructed its military to stay fully prepared during the ongoing joint exercises with the United States. Following the missile launches from the Pyongyang area towards the sea east of the Korean Peninsula, an emergency security meeting was held by the presidential office with officials from the Defence Ministry and military authorities present.
Describing the ballistic missile launch as a serious violation of UN Security Council resolutions, the presidential office demanded North Korea to cease such actions immediately. South Korean officials assessed the security implications of the missile launches, reviewed the country’s response posture, and discussed necessary measures in response to the situation.
The missiles were reported to have flown approximately 300 kilometers towards the sea, as confirmed by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. This missile barrage occurred following the announcement of scaling back the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises by the South Korean and U.S. militaries, with U.S. President Donald Trump ordering a substantial reduction in the exercises due to his positive relationship with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un.
Responding to questions from reporters, Trump expressed his intention to meet with Kim later in the year and mentioned North Korea’s possession of 57 nuclear weapons. However, South Korean officials estimate the number of North Korea’s nuclear warheads to be between 80 and 120. Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister and a spokesperson for the regime, dismissed Trump’s gestures and reaffirmed the stance on military drills and security matters.
An expert at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul analyzed the missile launch as a multi-purpose action, signaling opposition to joint military exercises, expressing discontent over discussions regarding North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, and cautioning against speculation on Pyongyang’s security affairs. The expert highlighted that North Korea’s security matters are solely determined by North Korea.
The missile launch also serves as a reminder of the tensions during Trump’s earlier years in office when he threatened North Korea with “fire and fury” due to missile tests. Trump’s ongoing concern about the cost of maintaining U.S. troops in South Korea remains a point of contention, despite the existing cost-sharing agreement between the two countries.
Additionally, Japan confirmed North Korea’s launch of a ballistic missile towards the sea, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged South Korea to maintain a neutral stance between China and the U.S. while promoting peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula. Recent meetings between Kim and Xi Jinping indicate a strengthening of ties between China and North Korea.