North Korea Launches Multiple Short-Range Ballistic Missiles? China Responds

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a government department responsible for managing a country’s diplomatic relations, foreign policy, and international affairs. Historically, such ministries emerged in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries as modern nation-states developed a greater need for professional diplomacy. Today, it typically handles international treaties, protects citizens abroad, and represents the nation’s interests on the global stage.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea is the highest-ranking military command group, responsible for the operational control of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces. It was established in 1954 following the Korean War to create a unified command structure for the army, navy, air force, and marine corps. The JCS plays a critical role in national defense and military strategy on the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia founded in 1948 following the division of Korea after World War II. It is a single-party state led by the Kim dynasty, established by Kim Il-sung, and is known for its rigid state-controlled isolationist policy and its “Juche” ideology of self-reliance. Its capital, Pyongyang, contains monumental sites dedicated to its leadership, such as the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, which serves as the mausoleum for Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il.

China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over four millennia and dynasties such as the Qin, which first unified the country in 221 BCE. It is renowned for its profound cultural heritage, including inventions like paper and gunpowder, and iconic landmarks such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Today, it is a major global power that blends its ancient traditions with rapid modernization.

The Korean Peninsula is a region in East Asia with a rich history spanning over 5,000 years, unified by ancient kingdoms such as Silla and Goryeo. Following World War II, it was divided along the 38th parallel, leading to the establishment of the democratic Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the communist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). This division resulted in the Korean War and has created a lasting geopolitical separation, with both nations developing vastly different political, economic, and social systems.