'Quad' Foreign Ministers Joint Statement Condemns North Korea's Ballistic Missile Launch (Comprehensive)

Joint Statement Released After Talks in Australia
Also Checks China's Maritime Expansion

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The four Quad countries?the United States, Japan, Australia, and India?condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launch and reaffirmed their commitment to complete denuclearization on the 11th (local time), according to foreign media reports.

On the 11th, according to Japan's Kyodo News and others, the foreign ministers of the four Quad countries stated in a joint communiqu? released after their meeting in Melbourne, Australia, "We condemn North Korea's ballistic missile launch and reaffirm the urgent need to resolve the issue of Japanese abductees by North Korea."

The joint statement also included the content, "We reaffirm the importance of adhering to international law to respond to challenges to the rules-based order in maritime areas, including the South China Sea and the East China Sea." This was a move to check China's maritime advances.

At the meeting, Russia, which is feared to possibly invade Ukraine following China, emerged as a target for containment. Secretary Blinken said at a joint press conference after the Quad foreign ministers' meeting, "Now is a time when the (Russian) invasion of Ukraine could begin at any moment. To be clear, this includes the Olympic period."

Secretary Blinken emphasized, "Troublesome signals that raise concerns about a Russian invasion continue. This includes the arrival of new troops at the Ukrainian border." He also stressed that the U.S. is currently scaling down the functions of its embassy in Ukraine and has repeatedly urged Americans in Ukraine to leave immediately under the State Department's name.

The United States is also wary of cooperation between Russia and China. Secretary Blinken stated at the meeting, "The support of multiple countries for Russia's threats against Ukraine and Russia's dangerous actions is an example showing that international norms are being challenged."

Foreign Minister Hayashi also emphasized at the joint press conference, "Japan has consistently supported Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and will continue to respond in coordination with the international community." He said, "In the Indo-Pacific region, there are important issues such as North Korea's nuclear and missile activities, unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas by China, and the situation in Myanmar," adding, "This is a time when the power of diplomacy is required."

The Quad foreign ministers' meeting on this day was attended by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne. The Quad is a consultative body formed to check the rapidly rising China in the Indo-Pacific region, and this was the fourth foreign ministers' meeting, including virtual meetings.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.