'North Korea Launches Short-Range Ballistic Missile'... National Security Office Convenes NSC Meeting

First Ballistic Missile Launch Since the Inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung Administration
"Closely Monitoring Related Trends, Including Possibility of Additional Missile Launches"

The National Security Office announced on the 22nd that it had convened an emergency security situation assessment meeting (NSC) in response to North Korea's launch of an unidentified short-range ballistic missile in a northeast direction, with officials from the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff in attendance.

The National Security Office stated, "We have been monitoring the situation of North Korea's ballistic missile launch in real time and have kept the President informed of developments as they unfolded," adding, "Through the NSC meeting, we reviewed the response measures of the Ministry of National Defense and the military, and assessed the potential impact on the situation on the Korean Peninsula."

The government plans to closely monitor related trends, including the possibility of additional missile launches by North Korea, and will consider necessary measures accordingly.

Previously, North Korea resumed its ballistic missile test launches for the first time in five months, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit being held in Gyeongju. The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on this day, "At approximately 8:10 a.m., our military detected several projectiles, believed to be short-range ballistic missiles, launched in a northeast direction from the Chunghwa area in North Hwanghae Province, North Korea."

The Joint Chiefs of Staff further explained, "Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for additional launches, and is maintaining a heightened state of readiness while closely sharing information related to North Korea's ballistic missiles with the United States and Japan."