This Saturday, May 4, in a photo provided by the North Korean government May 5, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, equipped with binoculars, observing tests of different weapons systems, in North Korea. AP-Yonhap

By Kim Yoo-chul

Despite North Korea conducting a live-fire drill of long-range multiple rocket launchers and unspecified tactical guided weapons, South Korea is standing with the United States to maintain Trump's version of "strategic patience" toward Pyongyang to keep the nuclear diplomacy going.

On Sunday, a senior presidential aide told The Korea Times that while Cheong Wa Dae is concerned about the North's actions, the presidential office has "no imminent plans" to implement any harsh response to the latest missile tests.

"Senior government officials from the United States, Japan and South Korea agreed to 'cautiously respond' to the latest drill and continue communication by sharing key information and the latest updates as none of them want to see further backtracking after seeing progress towards resolving the North's nuclear issue," the aide said.

Early Sunday, South Korea's defense ministry announced unspecified projectiles such as the brand-new tactical guided weapons were fired and flown 70 kilometers to 240 kilometers toward the northeast coast from the North Korean side.

While the ministry characterized the exact type of weapons the North launched as "projectiles," some military experts in Seoul said one of the weapons fired was more likely a "short-range ballistic missile" as the surface of the launchers appeared similar to the Iskandar, a short-range ballistic missile initially developed by Russia.

Regarding comments about confusion on the matter, Cheong Wa Dae declined to comment.