South Korea’s presidential office has denounced North Korea’s firing of more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday. The office has instructed its military to stay on high alert during the ongoing joint exercises with the United States. An emergency security meeting was held by the presidential office with officials from the Defence Ministry and military authorities. The missiles were launched from the Pyongyang area towards the east of the Korean Peninsula, violating UN Security Council resolutions. South Korea has urged North Korea to cease such provocative actions immediately.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the missiles traveled approximately 300 kilometers towards the sea. This missile barrage followed the decision by South Korea and the U.S. to reduce the duration of their Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. U.S. President Donald Trump had ordered a significant reduction in the exercises due to his good relationship with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s non-support in the U.S.’s actions regarding Iran.
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of Kim Jong Un and a spokesperson for the North Korean regime, criticized Trump’s actions and stated that reducing the exercises does not change their aggressive nature. She emphasized ongoing military drills by the U.S. and South Korea and South Korea’s plans for nuclear-powered submarines. A professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul suggested that the missile launch was a multi-purpose move to signal opposition to military exercises, express displeasure over discussions on North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, and caution against speculation on Pyongyang’s security matters.
In the past, Trump has been vocal about the cost of maintaining U.S. troops in South Korea and the financial contributions from Seoul. Despite an agreement covering troop upkeep until 2030, Trump insists that South Korea should contribute more. Japan also reported North Korea firing a ballistic missile towards the sea, which fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi advised South Korea to maintain neutrality between Beijing and Washington and called for a peaceful coexistence between South Korea and North Korea. China and North Korea’s relationship has strengthened, with Kim and Xi Jinping holding multiple meetings in the last year.