▲ News regarding North Korea's mass launch of over 10 short-range ballistic missiles is broadcast at Seoul Station on the 20th.
China has once again refrained from issuing a statement regarding North Korea's multiple ballistic missile launches.
During a press briefing today (the 21st), Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian responded to a question about North Korea's ballistic missile launch the previous day, saying, "We have noted the related reports," and adding, "We have no new comments on this."
Whenever North Korea has launched missiles in the past, China has generally refrained from taking a clear stance on whether such actions violate UN Security Council resolutions, instead emphasizing in principle the need to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue through dialogue and negotiation.
Back when North Korea launched ballistic missiles on May 26 of this year, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated, "We have no new comments," while also mentioning, "We note that there are differing views among the relevant parties regarding the nature of the projectile."
However, following Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea in June, Beijing has merely repeated the response that it has "no new comments."
According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea fired more than 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the East Sea from the Pyongyang area at around 5 p.m. yesterday.
North Korea's latest launch came as U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a reduction in joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises and publicly sent a "love call" for a North Korea-U.S. summit.
The firing of ballistic missiles just a day before the conclusion of the already shortened South Korea-U.S. Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise has been interpreted as an expression of discontent over the ongoing drills, as well as an effort to pressure Washington and Seoul into a complete halt of their joint exercises.
North Korea also fired more than 10 ballistic missiles from the Sunan area toward the East Sea on March 14, which coincided with the first-half South Korea-U.S. Freedom Shield (FS) exercise period and came shortly after President Trump met with then-Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and signaled his willingness for dialogue toward Chairman Kim Jong-un.
This latest ballistic missile launch was carried out immediately after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrapped up his visit to South Korea.
News of the launch broke about an hour and a half after Foreign Minister Wang departed following his schedule in South Korea, which included a courtesy call on President Lee Jae-myung.
This marks the 12th time this year that North Korea has fired ballistic missiles, with the previous launch occurring eight days ago.
In this month alone, launches took place on three separate occasions: the 6th, 12th, and 20th.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.