Anbosil Holds NSC Standing Committee Meeting on 'North Korea's Satellite-Named Ballistic Missile Plan'

North Korea Notifies Japanese Government of Satellite Launch

The National Security Office announced on the 29th that it held an emergency National Security Council (NSC) Standing Committee meeting chaired by Cho Tae-yong, the head of the Security Office, following North Korea's notification to the Japanese government about a satellite launch.

The Security Office regards North Korea's notification as a "plan to launch a long-range ballistic missile under the pretext of a satellite."

The Security Office reported the related details to President Yoon Suk-yeol and explained that the NSC received a situation report from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and discussed response measures.

Through a press release, the Security Office stated, "The government is closely monitoring the related developments and will announce the government's position on this matter through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The meeting was attended by Cho Tae-yong, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se, Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup, Director of the National Intelligence Service Kim Kyu-hyun, NSC Secretary-General Kim Tae-hyo, and Deputy Director of the Security Office Lim Jong-deuk, among others.

Earlier, the Japan Coast Guard received notification from North Korea that it plans to launch a satellite between 0:00 on the 31st and 0:00 on the 11th of next month, according to Japanese media reports.

Japan's Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu issued a "destruction order" to the Self-Defense Forces to intercept the object if it falls on Japan. Japan also strengthened its defenses by deploying Patriot surface-to-air guided missiles on three islands in Okinawa Prefecture.