Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
North Korea fires ballistic missile during NATO summit
A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, Wednesday. AP-Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
Yoon calls for international solidarity against threats from Pyongyang
By Jung Min-ho
North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile toward its eastern waters on Wednesday, two days after warning of the consequences of what it claimed was a “provocative” flight by a U.S. reconnaissance plane.
During an emergency National Security Council (NSC) meeting in Lithuania, where he is visiting to attend a NATO summit, President Yoon Suk Yeol called for international solidarity against increasing threats from the regime, saying the North will pay the price of all of its “illegal activities.”
According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), fired on a lofted trajectory from the North Korean capital area around 10 a.m., flew about 1,000 kilometers before falling into the East Sea.
It was North Korea's first weapon test since June 15, when it fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast. If confirmed, it was the North's first ICBM launch in three months, after the test of its first-ever solid-fuel ICBM on April 13. The specifics of the latest missile is now under analysis, the JCS told reporters.
Members of the NSC condemned Pyongyang for what they called a “grave violation” of U.N. resolutions and a “serious provocation” that threatens the peace and security of the world, the presidential office said in a statement.
President Yoon Suk Yeol listens to Cho Tae-yong, his national security adviser, during an emergency National Security Council meeting during his trip to Lithuania, Wednesday. Courtesy of presidential office
“President Yoon said our and the U.S. militaries have maintained robust defense postures ready to respond to any threat from North Korea,” the office said. “He also stressed that North Korea should know that it will face stronger sanctions and other responses from the international community over its illegal development of nuclear arms and missiles.”
Yoon then told the military to intensify efforts to expand cooperation with Washington and Tokyo in intelligence-sharing and combined exercises to strengthen South Korea's missile defense system.
The launch came at a time when the top generals of the three countries were meeting in Hawaii. Colonel Dave Butler, a spokesman for U.S. Chairman of the JCS General Mark Milley, told Reuters that the launch occurred at the conclusion of the meeting.
Speaking to The Korea Times, analysts said the launch appeared to be a follow-up measure after warnings from Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. In two separate statements on Monday and Tuesday, she accused a U.S. spy plane of “invading” its eastern exclusive economic zone (EEZ) early Monday.
“North Korea was possibly aiming to stoke tensions ahead of the anniversary of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War on July 27, or what it calls Victory Day,” Chung Kyung-young, a professor of international relations at Hanyang University and a former military officer, said.
In fiery remarks, Kim warned of a “stern military response” if Washington intrudes its EEZ, over which the North can claim the right for natural resources, but does not hold sovereignty.
The latest provocation could also be a message for Yoon and other world leaders gathering at the NATO summit in Europe, where he is seeking united support. Whatever goals North Korea aims to accomplish, given Kim's aggressive remarks and its typical pattern, Seoul will likely see more provocations in the coming weeks, said Oh Gyeong-seob, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, a think tank.
“When tensions were high last year, a group of North Korean fighter jets flew in formation near the inter-Korean border. It is possible that North Korea will make more serious types of provocations than testing weapons,” he said.