South Koreans remained mostly calm after North Korea’s highly-anticipated missile launch in the morning, going about their planned schedule for the Lunar New Year celebration.

A brief air alert was issued for the northernmost islands of Baekryeongdo and Daecheongdo immediately after the launch at 9:33 a.m. but was lifted after about nine minutes.

The city has kept open the doors into the evacuation shelter for cases of emergency.

“No damage has been reported as of yet in relation to North Korea’s missile launch. All the residents in the islands are also going about their ordinary days,” a city official said.

Voices of condemnation against the North’s latest provocation, however, were high among South Koreans.

Some travelers taking the train or express buses to go home in time for the holidays were seen stopping in their track and watching the news on television set up at the terminals.

“It is worrisome that North Korea is continuing to build up its military power at all cost…I am worried that (North Korean leader) Kim Jong-un may make rash decisions considering his young age, and bring about a bigger catastrophe,” said Moon Chee-ho, 54, at Seoul Station.

Kim Ho-geun, 86, a Korean War veteran, said, “We must take stern measures so that the North cannot try anything...Kim Jong-un is only focusing on developing nuclear bombs and missiles while ignoring the starving people.”

A 40-year-old office worker Jang Dong-min said he believed the North intentionally timed the launch with the holidays.

“While the celebratory spirit would dampen following its launch, it could also push the talks on its sanctions to draw out and lose steam considering the holidays that will last until next Wednesday,” he said. 

From news reports (khnews@heraldcorp.com)