South Korea's security office demands North Korea stop missile launches immediately
South Korea's National Security Office urged North Korea to halt its recent ballistic missile launches, calling them a serious breach of UN sanctions.
Following the detection of several ballistic missiles launched from North Korea toward the East Sea, South Korea's National Security Office called for an immediate stop to the tests, labeling them a grave violation of international sanctions. Kang Yu-jung, the office's spokesperson, emphasized that the launches contravene U.N. Security Council resolutions and fail to improve the volatile situation on the Korean Peninsula.
The emergency meeting included senior figures from the defense ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who reviewed the country's readiness posture. The NSO said it will take all necessary steps while evaluating the impact of the latest launch on South Korea's security. North Korea's most recent missile test on Oct. 3 was described as an intermediate-range hypersonic strategic missile. Recent weeks have seen heightened tensions after alleged mine explosions near the border injured three South Korean soldiers, an incident North Korea denies responsibility for.
Why it matters
The demand highlights escalating security risks on the Korean Peninsula and the potential for broader regional instability.
How this story developed
- Sep 22 EU prepares sanctions on North Korean elite camp hosting Ukrainian children
- Sep 24 Zelenskyy publicly announced the transfer of the two North Korean POWs at the UN General Assembly.
- Sep 27 Parliamentary opposition pressed the government for a public rationale after the UN disclosure.
- Sep 29 South Korea formally summoned Ukraine’s chargé d’affaires and demanded an apology for the UN disclosure.
- Sep 29 Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon and People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok claimed the military rejected United Nations Command demands for swift site access after the September 21 blasts that injured three soldiers. They argue the delay was meant to conceal evidence of a North Korean wooden-box mine and that the joint investigation was only advanced after public pressure. South Korean and UNC personnel entered the DMZ on Saturday to secure a route and prepare for the upcoming probe.
- Oct 2 South Korean intelligence briefed the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee about Ukraine's request for secrecy in the transfer.
- Oct 2 President Lee publicly warned Ukraine of possible retaliation if it does not apologise for the disclosure.
- Oct 3 Kim Yo‑jong publicly dismissed Seoul’s apology demand as despicable.
- Oct 5 South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff says North Korea intentionally placed two mines that exploded in the DMZ on Sept. 21, injuring three soldiers.
- Oct 6 Seoul announced it will examine diplomatic measures in response to the mine blasts.
- Oct 7 Seoul said it will formally cite the mine incident as a breach of the 1953 armistice and urged restoration of the DMZ to its original state.
- Oct 11 South Korean forces launched a mine‑removal mission inside the DMZ.
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