[Breaking] North Korea Fires Missile into East Sea

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] North Korea launched a missile into the East Sea. Typically, when the military authorities report that North Korea has launched a ballistic missile, it is highly likely to be a ballistic missile.

On the 28th, the Joint Chiefs of Staff informed the press corps via text message that "North Korea launched an unidentified projectile into the East Sea." This missile launch came 13 days after North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile from a train into the East Sea on the 15th.

The government is closely watching whether it will classify North Korea's missile launch on this day as a provocation.

Kim Yo-jong, Vice Director of the Workers' Party of North Korea, issued a statement on the 25th through North Korea's external media, the Korean Central News Agency, saying, "As a matter of courtesy, one should not recklessly provoke inter-Korean verbal disputes by carelessly labeling us as 'provocateurs.' Let me make it clear once again that we can never tolerate double standards," advocating a logic of mutual respect.

She implied that even if missiles are launched, as long as it is not defined as a provocation and mutual respect between the two Koreas is maintained, discussions on inter-Korean issues such as summits and declarations to end the war can proceed. However, there is a possibility that this unidentified projectile also constitutes a ballistic missile violating United Nations Security Council resolutions.