The alleged test-firing of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile from an undisclosed location in North Korea, March 24, 2022, is seen in this photo distributed by the North Korean government. AP-Yonhap
The National Security Council (NSC) "strongly" condemned North Korea's latest long-range missile launch Saturday, vowing stern measures against any attempt by the North to threaten South Korea.
National Security Adviser Kim Sung-han presided over a meeting of the NSC standing committee after the North fired a long-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea.
The committee members "strongly condemned the North's latest missile firing as a grave violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and a serious provocation that heightens tensions on the Korean Peninsula and in the region," the presidential office said in a statement.
The NSC warned that North Korea will only face tougher sanctions from the international community if it continues to stage weapons provocations, while turning a blind eye to its people's human rights and lives amid a chronic food shortage.
NK fires apparent 1 long-range missile into East Sea: S. Korean military 2023-02-18 17:52 | North Korea The standing members also said South Korea and the United States will strengthen their defense capabilities against the North through planned joint military exercise, including the allies' table-top drills set for next week and regular springtime ones next month.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch from the Sunan area of Pyongyang at 5:22 p.m. and that the missile, fired at a lofted angle, flew some 900 kilometers. (Yonhap)