NSC: "North Korea's Launch, Regardless of Success, Violates Security Council Resolutions... Serious Provocation"

Security Situation Review Meeting and Emergency NSC Standing Committee Held in Succession
Presidential Office "Yoon Receiving Real-Time Reports"
NSC Closely Monitoring Possibility of Additional Launches

The Standing Committee of the National Security Council (NSC) condemned North Korea's space launch on the 31st, stating, "Regardless of the success of this launch, it is a serious violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and a grave provocation threatening peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the international community."

The Presidential Office announced that NSC standing members reached this consensus during an emergency NSC Standing Committee meeting chaired by National Security Office Director Cho Tae-yong. Attendees included Director Cho, Unification Minister Kwon Young-se, Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, National Intelligence Service Director Kim Kyu-hyun, First Deputy Foreign Minister Jang Ho-jin, NSC Secretary-General Kim Tae-hyo (First Deputy Director of the National Security Office), and Second Deputy Director of the National Security Office Lim Jong-deuk.

Earlier, upon identifying that North Korea launched one space launch vehicle, claimed to be a "reconnaissance satellite," southward from the Dongchang-ri area at 6:29 a.m., the Presidential Office held a security situation review meeting to discuss the initial analysis results regarding the launch vehicle's specifications and flight trajectory.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Subsequently, the Presidential Office received a detailed report on the launch vehicle's specifications and situation from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and convened an emergency NSC Standing Committee meeting around 9 a.m. to discuss the possibility of additional launches by North Korea and response measures. The Presidential Office stated, "NSC participants agreed to remain vigilant regarding the possibility of further launches by North Korea and to maintain a cooperative posture with allies and partner countries."

President Yoon also received real-time reports on the matter. The Presidential Office said, "President Yoon received the first report immediately after the launch at 6:29 a.m. today and has continued to receive updates in real time."

Earlier, the Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that the launch vehicle passed over the open sea west of Baengnyeongdo and fell abnormally into the sea approximately 200 km west of Eocheongdo.

North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) also reported, "The newly launched satellite carrier rocket 'Chollima-1' lost propulsion and fell into the West Sea after abnormal ignition of the second stage engine following the separation of the first stage during normal flight."

The agency further cited the National Space Development Bureau, which oversees North Korea's space launch vehicle development and launches, stating, "A thorough investigation and explanation of the serious defect observed during the satellite launch will be conducted, and urgent scientific and technological measures to overcome it will be devised. After conducting various tests, a second launch will be carried out as soon as possible."

On the 31st, when North Korea launched a space projectile southward, citizens in the waiting room of Seoul Station, Jung-gu, Seoul, were watching related news. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@