청 "Deep Regret over North Korea's Missile Launch Amid Korean Peninsula Peace Talks" (Comprehensive)

NSC Standing Committee Holds Emergency Meeting... "Stability on the Korean Peninsula is Crucial, North Korea Must Promptly Engage in Dialogue"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House held an emergency meeting of the NSC Standing Committee and expressed deep regret over North Korea's launch of a short-range ballistic missile amid ongoing consultations on the Korean Peninsula peace process.

On the 19th, the Blue House stated, "The government held an emergency meeting of the NSC Standing Committee from 11:30 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. today," adding, "The NSC Standing Committee members received a report from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Won In-cheol on the situation regarding North Korea's unidentified short-range ballistic missile launch this morning and assessed the related situation."

The Blue House emphasized, "The Standing Committee members expressed deep regret that North Korea's recent launch occurred amid active consultations between South Korea and major countries including the U.S., China, Japan, and Russia to advance the Korean Peninsula peace process."

The view of the Blue House from Namsan, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The Blue House added, "The Standing Committee members once again stressed the urgent need for stability in the Korean Peninsula situation and urged North Korea to promptly come to the dialogue table."

The Blue House also stated, "The Standing Committee members decided to closely monitor North Korea's related movements going forward and to devise necessary measures through swift and close consultations with relevant countries, including the United States."

Meanwhile, the NSC Standing Committee meeting was attended by National Security Office Director Suh Hoon, Presidential Chief of Staff Yoo Young-min, Minister of Unification Lee In-young, Minister of National Defense Suh Wook, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Won In-cheol, First and Second Deputy Directors of the National Security Office Seo Joo-seok and Kim Hyung-jin, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong-moon, and First Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Service Yoon Hyung-joong.