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South Korea Condemns North's Missile Launch, Urges Immediate Halt

South Korea's presidential security office condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launch as a violation of UN resolutions and called for an immediate halt to provocations. An emergency meeting was led by Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Hyun-jong to assess the launch from the Sinpho area. The provocation comes as President Lee Jae Myung prepares to depart for a trip to India and Vietnam, with authorities instructed to heighten readiness. South Korean and US intelligence are closely monitoring the situation and sharing information with Japan, amid analysis the launch could involve a submarine-launched ballistic missile.

Key Points: S. Korea Denounces N. Korea Missile Launch, Calls for Halt

  • Emergency security meeting convened
  • Launch violates UN resolutions
  • President Lee to depart for India
  • US-S.Korea intelligence sharing
  • Possible submarine-launched missile
3 min read

South Korea denounces North Korea's missile launch, calls for immediate halt

South Korea condemns North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch as a UN violation, convenes emergency security meeting ahead of presidential trip.

"immediately halt provocations that clearly violate the UN Security Council resolutions - Presidential Office"

Seoul, April 19

South Korea's presidential Office of National Security on Sunday condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launch as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions, calling for an immediate halt.

The office convened an emergency meeting led by Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Hyun-jong to analyse and assess the North's latest missile launch, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written press briefing.

The office expressed concerns over the North's increasingly frequent ballistic missile launches and urged Pyongyang to immediately halt provocations that clearly violate the UN Security Council resolutions, reports Yonhap news agency.

It also instructed relevant agencies to step up their readiness posture as President Lee Jae Myung is set to depart for India later in the day for a two-nation trip that also includes a visit to Vietnam.

Kang said the office also reported the North's latest launch and response measures to the president.

The North fired the missiles from the Sinpho area in the North at around 6:10 a.m. Sunday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The JCS earlier said it is closely monitoring North Korea's movements under a robust South Korea-US combined defence posture.

South Korean and US intelligence authorities have tracked movements related to the launch and have also shared relevant information with the Japanese side, it added.

North Korea last fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles on April 8, in a rare pair of launches conducted in a single day.

The North's latest provocation comes ahead of US President Donald Trump's planned visit to China in mid-May.

Meanwhile, the Japanese military is reportedly considering the possibility of the latest launch involving a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), reports Yonhap news agency.

Submarine-related facilities are known to be located in Sinpho, with the Hero Kim Kun Ok and the 8.24 Yongung submarines previously spotted at the eastern coastal city. The North test-fired an SLBM in waters off Sinpho in May 2022.

North Korea last fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles on April 8, in a rare pair of launches conducted in a single day. The North also fired an unidentified projectile the previous day, but it disappeared shortly after it was fired in an apparent failure.

Following the series of launches over two days, North Korea's state media said the North test-fired a tactical ballistic missile tipped with a cluster bomb warhead, claiming it can "reduce to ashes any target" within its range with the highest-density power.

State media also reported Pyongyang conducted tests of an electromagnetic weapon system and carbon fibre sham bombs scattering while verifying the combat reliability of a mobile short-range anti-aircraft missile system, raising views that the latest launch may be part of such weapons tests.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The timing is suspicious, right before the South Korean President's visit to India and Vietnam. It feels like a calculated move to grab attention. Hope the diplomatic talks in Delhi focus on regional stability. 🇮🇳🤝🇰🇷
R
Rohit P
While I condemn the missile launches, I sometimes feel the international response, especially from the UN, is not strong enough. Just statements and condemnations. What concrete action is being taken? The people in the region deserve peace, not this constant tension.
S
Sarah B
Reading about SLBMs is particularly alarming. This isn't just a regional issue anymore; it's a global security threat. The international community needs a unified strategy. India's role as a responsible power will be key in any dialogue.
K
Karthik V
The article mentions the missile can "reduce to ashes any target". Such rhetoric is dangerous and escalatory. Hope the South Korean President's visit to India strengthens cooperation on defense and technology to counter such threats. Jai Hind.
M
Michael C
From an Indian perspective, our immediate neighborhood demands most of our focus. However, we cannot ignore developments in East Asia. A stable Korean peninsula is in everyone's interest. Diplomacy is the only way forward, however difficult.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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