Yoon says North will face consequences for missile launches

The president said the expanded deterrence will be further reinforced through the Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG). North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the East Sea Wednesday

President Yoon Suk Yeol holds an emergency NSC meeting in Lithuania on Wednsedsay after North Korea launched an intercontinental missile the same day. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

President Yoon Suk Yeol warned North Korea that there will be consequences for its provocations.

During an emergency meeting Yoon held in Lithuania on Wednesday, Yoon said the extended deterrence will be further reinforced through the Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG).

Yoon is attending the NATO summit in Lithuania as an observer.

In May, during Yoon's visit to Washington, South Korea and the United States agreed to establish the NCG to upgrade the alliance to "nuclear-based."

The NCG, announced through the Washington Declaration, aims to "strengthen extended deterrence, discuss nuclear and strategic planning, and manage the threat to the nonproliferation regime posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea."

The NCG's first meeting will take place on Tuesday in Seoul.

North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the East Sea Wednesday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The missile was fired at around 10 a.m. from Pyongyang, JCS said.

The missile flew 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) upward before landing in the sea.

The JCS said in a statement that the launch is a threat to the Korean Peninsula and the international community's peace and stability.

It also said that the firing violates United National Security Council resolutions.

The launch came a day after North Korea warned the United States against sending spy jets into its air space, which the U.S. and the South Korean military denied.

The U.S. and the South Korean militaries said that the flights were routine and were in accordance with international law.

This is the first time in 27 days that North Korea launched a ballistic missile.

The rhetoric from North Korea came at a time when President Yoon is attending the NATO summit.

Yoon and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg agreed on upgrading the partnership between South Korea and the North Atlantic alliance in areas including disarmament and nonproliferation.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]