The National Security Office of the Blue House emphasized on Tuesday that North Korea’s recent launch of multiple ballistic missiles into the East Sea from the vicinity of Pyongyang is a provocative act violating United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions. They strongly urged an immediate cessation of such activities.
This missile launch coincided with the visit of Elbridge Colby, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development, to South Korea and Japan. Colby’s trip was focused on discussing the new National Defense Strategy (NDS).
In response to the confirmed missile launch, the National Security Office promptly convened an Emergency Security Situation Assessment Meeting that afternoon. The meeting included representatives from the Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
During this meeting, the National Security Office analyzed the situation, evaluated its impact on national security, and issued directives to relevant agencies to maintain necessary readiness measures.
The National Security Office also briefed President Lee Jae Myung on the missile launch situation and the U.S. response.
Earlier, the Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea had launched several unidentified ballistic missiles from the northern Pyongyang area into the East Sea at approximately 3:50 p.m.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that the military has heightened surveillance and vigilance in anticipation of additional launches. They added that they are maintaining full readiness posture, closely sharing intelligence on North Korean ballistic missiles with the U.S. and Japanese allies.
The Joint Chiefs further reported that the missiles traveled approximately 350 kilometers (about 217 miles). They noted that U.S. and South Korean forces are conducting a detailed analysis of the exact specifications.
Military analysts are considering the possibility that the missiles could be 600mm super-large multiple rocket launchers. With a maximum range just exceeding 400 kilometers (about 249 miles), these weapons are assessed to be targeting key facilities in South Korea rather than the U.S. mainland.