Presidential Office Holds Security Situation Review Meeting Led by National Security Office Chief in Response to North Korea's SRBM Provocation

North Korea Fires Two SRBMs into East Sea on the Morning of the 20th

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] On the 20th, the Presidential Office held a security situation review meeting chaired by Kim Seong-han, Director of the National Security Office, in response to North Korea's launch of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM). Following the launch of the Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on the 18th, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea from the Sukchon area in South Pyongan Province on the morning of the 20th, just two days later.

According to the Presidential Office, the meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning was attended by Director Kim, Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, Lim Jong-deuk, Second Deputy Director, and related secretaries. The attendees discussed North Korea's missile launch trends as well as the South Korean military's readiness and response measures.

During the ICBM launch on the 18th, the Presidential Office convened the Standing Committee of the National Security Council (NSC) chaired by Director Kim to review North Korea's missile provocations. NSC participants lamented, "Amid a severe food shortage in North Korea causing widespread starvation, the North Korean regime is neglecting the human rights and livelihoods of its people, focusing solely on large-scale military parades and nuclear and missile development," and warned, "The only outcome North Korea will gain from these provocations is harsh international sanctions."