South Korea’s presidential office has strongly criticized North Korea’s firing of more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday. The office has instructed the military to remain on high alert during the ongoing joint exercises with the United States. Following the missile launches from the Pyongyang area towards the eastern sea of the Korean Peninsula, an emergency security meeting was held by the presidential office with officials from the Defence Ministry and military authorities.
The statement from the office described the ballistic missile launch as a serious violation of UN Security Council resolutions, urging North Korea to cease such actions immediately. South Korea’s response posture was reviewed by officials, who also analyzed the security implications of the missile launches and discussed necessary measures. According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missiles traveled approximately 300 kilometers towards the sea.
The missile launches coincided with the scaling back of 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 directed the Pentagon to significantly reduce the exercise just before its commencement, citing a positive relationship with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s non-support in the U.S.’s actions in Iran.
Kim Yo Jong, the spokesperson for North Korea’s regime and Kim Jong Un’s sister, responded to Trump’s gestures by dismissing the reduction in the military exercises as insignificant. She highlighted the continued provocative nature of the drills and emphasized North Korea’s sovereignty in deciding security matters. The missile launches were seen as a multifaceted message signaling opposition to the joint military exercises, displeasure over discussions about North Korea’s nuclear arsenal, and a warning to external powers not to interfere in Pyongyang’s security affairs.
In the past, Trump has been vocal about the expenses related to maintaining U.S. troops in South Korea, despite the existing cost-sharing agreement between the two countries. The agreement covers the period from 2026 to 2030, with South Korea contributing approximately 1.52 trillion won ($1.1 billion US) this year for the support of American troops. However, Trump has persisted in his argument that South Korea should contribute more.
Japan’s government and coast guard also reported North Korea’s firing of a ballistic missile towards the sea on Thursday. The missile, as confirmed by Japan’s coast guard, landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone in the sea. During his visit to Seoul, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi encouraged South Korea not to take sides between Beijing and Washington, advocating for peaceful coexistence on the Korean peninsula. China and North Korea have demonstrated strengthened ties, with Kim and Xi Jinping meeting twice in the last year.
