▲ A new intermediate-range ballistic missile tipped with a hypersonic warhead is launched on Jan. 6, 2025, in this file photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency the following day. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

acting president-NK provocation

Acting president condemns N. Korea's latest missile provocation

By Kim Han-joo

SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Yonhap) -- Acting President Choi Sang-mok strongly condemned North Korea's firing of multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Tuesday, pledging a firm response based on the strong South Korea-U.S. alliance.

According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the missile launch was detected at around 9:30 a.m. from the Ganggye region in North Korea's Jagang Province. The provocation comes just days before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.

"This is a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions," Choi said during a Cabinet meeting.

Choi added the government will respond more firmly to North Korea's provocations based on a strong defense posture and the solid South Korea-U.S. alliance.

Tuesday's launch marked the recalcitrant regime's second provocation this year, after it fired what it claimed to be a hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile on Jan. 6.

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