North Korea Fires Over Ten Short-Range Ballistic Missiles from Pyongyang... Blue House Holds Emergency Security Meeting

Readiness Reviewed Amid Ulchi Exercise Provocation

"Security Impact Assessed, Necessary Measures Directed"

"A Grave Violation of UN Security Council Resolutions... Immediate Cessation Urged"

On August 20, North Korea fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea from the Pyongyang area. In response, the National Security Office immediately convened an emergency meeting with relevant agencies such as the Ministry of National Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to assess the military's response and review the potential impacts on national security.

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Chief Presidential Secretary meeting held at the Blue House on August 20, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

The National Security Office announced that it held an "Emergency Security Situation Review Meeting" immediately after North Korea's ballistic missile launches, with relevant government agencies in attendance.

During the meeting, officials reviewed the military’s response to North Korea’s missile launches and analyzed and evaluated the potential ramifications of the event on national security. Based on these assessments, the National Security Office also instructed related agencies to implement the necessary follow-up measures. Notably, as the launches coincided with the Ulchi Exercise period, the office emphasized the importance of maintaining seamless readiness postures among the military and relevant agencies.

The National Security Office defined North Korea's launch of ballistic missiles as “a serious violation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions,” and called for their immediate cessation.

This missile launch took place on the very day that President Lee Jaemyung met with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese Foreign Minister, to request close strategic communication on Korean Peninsula issues. President Lee asked Minister Wang to maintain close communication on Peninsula matters with South Korea's diplomatic and security officials, including Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and National Security Office Director Wi Seong-rak.

Director Wi also explained the South Korean government’s vision for peaceful coexistence and efforts to resume dialogue on the Korean Peninsula during his meeting with Minister Wang. He further outlined a phased and pragmatic denuclearization approach, beginning with a "suspension" of hostile activities, and requested constructive cooperation from China.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.