The National Security Office convened an Emergency Security Situation Assessment Meeting on January 4 with key agencies, including the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), in response to North Korea’s ballistic missile launch over the East Sea.
The JCS reported that North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea from the vicinity of Pyongyang at approximately 7:50 a.m. This provocative act coincided with President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.
Officials stated that the National Security Office is meticulously analyzing the situation, evaluating its impact on national security, and reviewing defense readiness. They have also issued directives to relevant agencies as necessary.
The office emphasized that North Korea’s ballistic missile launches violate United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions and demanded an immediate halt to such provocations.
The National Security Office is maintaining real-time communication with President Lee, keeping him apprised of North Korea’s missile activities and the government’s response measures.
According to the JCS, the North Korean ballistic missiles traveled approximately 900 kilometers (about 559 miles). U.S. and South Korean military authorities are currently conducting a detailed analysis of the missiles’ specifications.
Japan’s Ministry of Defense reported that around 8:12 a.m., a projectile, believed to be a North Korean ballistic missile, appeared to have landed outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Given that medium- to long-range missiles typically have flight times exceeding 30 to 40 minutes, these missiles are likely of the short-range variety.