North Korea fires two cruise missiles as South Korean president marks 100 days in office

Seoul, South Korea -- North Korea launched two cruise missiles on Wednesday, marking the 100th day of the South Korean president's tenure in office.

North Korea has test-launched its missile system 19 times this year alone, as US and South Korean intelligence confirmed it was ready for a seventh missile launch. Nuclear test.

South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol said at a press conference on Wednesday that South Korea could provide a "bold" economic boost program if North Korea expressed its "unwavering commitment" to denuclearization. However, no inter-Korean talks will take place unless it is to establish a substantial and long-term peace.

Unlike the previous pro-North Korean government, Yoon's new government has taken a more proactive approach to North Korea's military provocations over the past 100 days.

When North Korea launched eight of her ballistic missiles from four different regions of the country, the combined forces of South Korea and the United States launched his eight surface-to-surface missiles the next day as a countermeasure. fired.

The Joint Force is currently gearing up for his 10-day Ulchi Freedom Shield Joint Military Exercise scheduled to begin next Monday.

South Korean public opinion is broadly suggesting that it may make sense for South Korea to possess nuclear weapons itself, with no end in sight as to the easing of tensions between the two countries.

"Those who argue that South Korea should develop its own nuclear weapons point to the unequal and threatening fact that North Korea possesses them and South Korea does not," by Kim Hyun Sook Foreign Relations Council Chairman Joseon Unification told ABC News. "But that is only a fleeting idea. There are many constraints to realizing a South Korean nuclear weapons program."

According to a poll report by the Chicago Council on International Affairs, the Of the 1,500 respondents, 71% said they were in favor of South Korea developing its own nuclear weapons, while only 26% said they were against it. idea.

When asked by ABC News if he shared such sentiments, Yoon said he remains committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He called it "an essential prerequisite for lasting world peace."

However, Mr. Yoon now faces strong disapproval in South Korea due to domestic political conflicts within his own party, majority opposition in the National Assembly, and several scandals from his own cabinet. Facing assessment, Yoon apologized to the South Korean side on Wednesday for these issues and promised to "humbly" "listen" to people.