Kim Seong-han: "Holding NSC Does Not Mean Recognizing a Threat... Practical Measures Are Important"

Debate at Operations Committee on Response to North Korea's Missile Provocation
Kim Byung-joo Directly Criticizes, "Isn't This a Complacent Response?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Kim Seong-han, Director of the National Security Office at the Presidential Office, defended against opposition party criticism that the National Security Council (NSC) was not convened after North Korea's missile provocation on the 10th, stating, "Holding an NSC meeting is not the only way to acknowledge a threat."

Director Kim appeared at the National Assembly's Steering Committee plenary session on the 17th and responded to Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-joo's question, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration did not actually convene the NSC despite North Korea's provocation."

When Lawmaker Kim directly asked, "This was the first time such a provocation occurred (three shots fired at 20-second intervals). Isn't this a complacent attitude?" Director Kim replied, "It is not complacency."

Furthermore, when Lawmaker Kim countered, "The Moon Jae-in administration also faced a similar situation early on. Four days after taking office, there was one ballistic missile launch, and the NSC was convened," he explained, "The NSC itself is not what's important; rather, practical measures, establishing and strengthening our readiness posture, are more important."

In response to Lawmaker Kim's question, "How did the Presidential Office respond?" he said, "We responded with a security situation review meeting chaired by the Director of the National Security Office." When Lawmaker Kim remarked, "It seems more like an internal meeting rather than having a legal basis," Director Kim acknowledged, "That is correct."

When asked, "What was the conclusion of the meeting?" he answered, "We condemned the situation, maintained the military readiness posture that has been in place, and deplored North Korea's dual behavior."