Presidential office labels N. Korea's missile launch as provocation, urges immediate halt

On August 12, the South Korean presidential office convened an emergency security assessment meeting in response to North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch, labeling it a provocation and demanding an immediate cessation of such actions. The meeting, held at Cheong Wa Dae, the official residence of the South Korean president, focused on addressing the security implications of the missile launch, assessing its impact on national security, and instructing officials to take necessary measures.

The office expressed deep concern over the back-to-back ballistic missile launches by Pyongyang, noting that these actions constitute provocations in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. It urged an immediate halt to the launches, highlighting the gravity of the situation. The emergency meeting was attended by officials from the defense ministry, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other relevant agencies, underscoring the gravity of the issue.

Notably, this missile launch follows six days after North Korea's previous short-range ballistic missile test toward the East Sea. The launches coincide with the period when South Korea and the United States are scheduled to commence their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise next week. Pyongyang has strongly denounced this exercise, accusing it of rehearsal for war against the regime.