South Korea’s presidential office has denounced North Korea’s firing of over 10 short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday. The office has instructed the military to maintain full readiness during joint exercises with the United States. Following the missile launches from the Pyongyang area towards the east of the Korean Peninsula, an emergency security meeting was held with officials from the Defence Ministry and military authorities in attendance. The presidential office stated that the missile launch defies UN Security Council resolutions and urged North Korea to cease such actions immediately.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the missiles traveled approximately 300 kilometers towards the sea. This incident occurred after the South Korean and U.S. militaries announced a reduction in their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, which are set to conclude by the end of Friday. President Donald Trump had ordered a substantial reduction in the exercises before they commenced, citing his positive relationship with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s non-support in the U.S.’s actions in Iran.
In response to Trump’s claim that North Korea possesses 57 nuclear weapons, South Korean officials estimate the number to be between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads. Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister and a spokesperson for the regime, dismissed Trump’s remarks and emphasized that military drills with reduced duration and size still maintain their provocative nature. She mentioned previous military drills between the U.S. and South Korea, as well as South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines.
The missile launch by North Korea is believed to be a strategic move to emphasize warnings issued by Kim Yo Jong and to signal opposition to the joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S. It also serves as a message to deter speculation about Pyongyang’s security affairs and to test improved missile systems. The launch highlights North Korea’s stance on governing its security matters independently.
The relationship between Trump and Kim has seen fluctuations, from Trump’s initial threats against North Korea in 2017 to his subsequent meetings with Kim. Trump has questioned the cost of maintaining U.S. troops in South Korea, despite the existing cost-sharing agreement between the two countries. Japan also reported a ballistic missile fired by North Korea toward the sea, which fell outside its exclusive economic zone. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during his visit to Seoul, emphasized the need for peaceful coexistence between South Korea and North Korea, urging the U.S. to adopt a non-hostile policy towards North Korea. China and North Korea have recently strengthened their ties, with Kim and Xi Jinping holding meetings in the past year.
