South Korea Holds Emergency Meeting After North Korea's Missile Launch

The Blue House National Security Office convened an emergency security situation assessment meeting on September 20, involving the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in response to North Korea's short-range ballistic missile launch.

During the meeting, officials reviewed the military's response and analyzed the impact of the launch on national security. They also assessed necessary measures in preparation for potential further launches by North Korea.

The National Security Office emphasized the need for military and relevant agencies to maintain a thorough state of readiness following North Korea's missile launch, which occurred eight days after a previous launch on September 12.

The government stated, "North Korea's ballistic missile launch is a serious act that violates UN Security Council resolutions," urging the North to immediately cease such activities.

Earlier that afternoon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea had launched a short-range ballistic missile into the East Sea from the Wonsan area in Gangwon Province.

At approximately 3:08 PM, the military informed reporters that an unidentified projectile had been launched into the East Sea. Authorities later assessed the projectile as a short-range ballistic missile and are currently analyzing its specifications and flight distance.

On September 12, at around 5:20 AM, North Korea also launched several short-range ballistic missiles from the Wonsan area, which were determined to have flown approximately 250 kilometers.

Two days later, on September 14, North Korea's state media reported that it conducted a "combined fire assault drill" involving long-range artillery and missile units. Kim Jong Un did not observe the drill, but Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Workers' Party Central Military Commission, was present at the site.