North Korea Missile Sparks Blue House NSC Meeting to Condemn... Moon Urges "No Gaps in Security Posture" (Summary)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 7th, regarding the suspected submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) launch by North Korea, President Moon Jae-in urged the military and foreign affairs and security departments to "maintain vigilance until the last day."

On the same day, President Moon instructed, "Regarding North Korea's missile launch, our military and foreign affairs and security departments should maintain vigilance until the last day of the term and do their best to ensure there are no gaps in security posture."

At around 4 p.m., the Blue House held an emergency meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) Standing Committee, chaired by National Security Office Director Suh Hoon, regarding North Korea's ballistic missile launch.

The attendees received a report from the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the launch of a short-range ballistic missile suspected to be an SLBM by North Korea, reviewed our security posture and the situation of related countries during the government transition period, and discussed response measures.

They once again pointed out that North Korea's ballistic missile launch violates UN Security Council resolutions and poses a serious threat to the Korean Peninsula, the region, and the international community, condemning the act and strongly urging North Korea to halt continuous missile launches and return to the path of diplomatic resolution.

Furthermore, they reiterated the importance of maintaining a firm readiness posture based on a strong Korea-US alliance ahead of the new government's inauguration and agreed to cooperate closely with related countries and the international community without any gaps.

The Standing Committee included Director Suh, Presidential Chief of Staff Yoo Young-min, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, Unification Minister Lee In-young, Defense Minister Suh Wook, National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Won In-chul, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office Seo Joo-seok, and Second Deputy Director Kim Hyung-jin.