South Korea’s presidential office has strongly criticized North Korea’s firing of over 10 short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday. The office called for full readiness from the military amid joint exercises with the United States. An emergency security meeting was held with officials from the Defence Ministry and military authorities after the missiles were launched from the Pyongyang area towards the east of the Korean Peninsula, the office stated.
The presidential office emphasized that the ballistic missile launch constitutes a serious violation of UN Security Council resolutions and urged North Korea to immediately cease such actions. South Korea’s response posture was reviewed, and security implications of the launches were assessed during the meeting, as per the office’s statement.
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missiles traveled approximately 300 kilometers towards the sea. The missile launch occurred following the announcement of a reduction in the 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises by the South Korean and U.S. militaries, which were set to conclude by the end of Friday.
U.S. President Donald Trump had ordered a substantial reduction in the joint military exercise just before its commencement on Monday. Trump mentioned his positive relationship with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s decision not to support the U.S. in its activities in Iran as reasons for scaling back the drills.
During a press briefing, Trump confirmed his intention to meet with Kim later this year. He also referenced North Korea possessing 57 nuclear weapons, a figure he mentioned for the first time, while South Korean officials estimate the number to be between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads.
Kim Yo Jong, the spokesperson for the North Korean regime and Kim Jong Un’s sister, dismissed Trump’s gesture and criticized the military drills conducted by the U.S. and South Korea, along with South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines. She emphasized the importance of personal relations between Kim and Trump but denied that Kim had responded to Trump’s request for a conversation.
An expert from the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, Yang Moo-jin, stated that the missile launch was likely intended to emphasize previous warnings by Kim Yo Jong and to convey opposition to the South Korea-U.S. military exercises. Yang suggested that the launch served multiple purposes, including signaling displeasure over discussions about North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and cautioning against speculation on Pyongyang’s security affairs.
Trump’s evolving stance on military costs and troop presence in South Korea was also highlighted. Despite a cost-sharing agreement in place, Trump continues to argue that South Korea contributes too little towards the maintenance of American troops in the region.
Japan reported that North Korea had fired a ballistic missile towards the sea, which appeared to have landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during his visit to Seoul, urged South Korea to maintain neutrality between China and the U.S., advocating for a peaceful coexistence between South Korea and North Korea. Recent interactions between China and North Korea, including meetings between Kim and Xi Jinping, indicate a strengthening of ties between the two nations.