Kim Seong-han, "The Security Situation on the Korean Peninsula is Serious... We Will Have Constructive Discussions to Strengthen ROK-US-Japan Cooperation"

Departure to Hawaii, USA for Korea-US-Japan National Security Advisors Meeting
Discussion on 'Bold Initiative' and 'Inflation Reduction Act' Planned

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Kim Sung-han, Director of the National Security Office, emphasized on the 31st regarding the ROK-US-Japan National Security Advisors Meeting, "The current security situation on the Korean Peninsula is extremely serious," and added, "We will have constructive discussions to further strengthen and expand ROK-US-Japan security cooperation."

In addition, Kim explained that the meeting will not only address security issues such as North Korea's nuclear program but also discuss President Yoon Suk-yeol's denuclearization roadmap for the Korean Peninsula, the "Bold Initiative," as well as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act.

Kim made these remarks during a meeting with reporters before departing from Incheon International Airport to Hawaii that night. On June 1 (local time), Kim will hold the ROK-US-Japan National Security Advisors Meeting at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii with Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor, and Takeo Akiba, Director of Japan's National Security Secretariat.

This ROK-US-Japan National Security Advisors Meeting is the first since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, and in addition to the trilateral meeting, separate bilateral meetings between Korea-Japan and Korea-US will also be held.

Kim stated, "North Korea is ready to conduct a nuclear test at any moment and has continued provocations by conducting nearly 20 missile test launches this year alone," adding, "I hope this meeting will serve as a forum to find effective ways to respond to North Korea's increasing nuclear and missile security threats."

Regarding the background of holding this meeting, Kim explained, "There was a certain level of consensus on the recent series of security situations," and added, "Naturally, the U.S. suggested it would be good to meet once, and Japan and Korea readily agreed. Opinions were gathered almost telepathically."

When asked about the possibility of China opposing the meeting being held at the Indo-Pacific Command, Kim responded, "Since the Yoon Suk-yeol administration is preparing its own Indo-Pacific strategy, we expect that holding the ROK-US-Japan National Security Advisors Meeting at the center of the Indo-Pacific strategy will allow us to discuss the ROK-US alliance and ROK-US-Japan security cooperation from a more macro perspective."

Regarding the Bold Initiative, Kim said, "We plan to discuss what measures under the U.S.-Japan cooperation can lead North Korea to accept it." When asked whether the Inflation Reduction Act would be discussed, he stated, "Since we view it as an economic security issue, we plan to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act during the bilateral meeting with the U.S."

On the question of whether Korea will participate in the fleet review to be held in Japan this November, Kim replied, "Participation in the fleet review has not yet been decided," adding, "Since comprehensive discussions are underway to improve Korea-Japan relations, including issues like forced labor, we need to carefully decide while observing the progress in Korea-Japan relations."

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