Kim Seong-han: "The US, South Korea, and Japan Will Respond Differently If North Korea Conducts 7th Nuclear Test" (Update)

Korea-US-Japan Strengthen Cooperation on Economic Security Issues... "Seeking Joint Response Measures by Korea-US-Japan Against Supply Chain Disruption Actions"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] If North Korea conducts its 7th nuclear test, South Korea, the United States, and Japan have agreed to respond strongly and jointly in the international community.

Kim Sung-han, Director of the National Security Office at the Presidential Office, said to reporters after the trilateral security chiefs meeting held in Hawaii, USA, on the 1st (local time), "If North Korea conducts a 7th nuclear test, the response will definitely be different from previous ones."

At the first trilateral security chiefs meeting since the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, the security chiefs of the three countries discussed ▲ the North Korean nuclear issue ▲ cooperation on advanced technology and supply chains ▲ major regional and international issues.

Regarding the North Korean nuclear issue, Director Kim emphasized, "We agreed that there must never be any complacent thinking or response that a 7th nuclear test is just one more after six previous tests."

The security chiefs of South Korea, the United States, and Japan also agreed to strengthen cooperation on economic security issues. Director Kim explained, "We decided to explore ways for the three countries to jointly respond if there are global-level supply chain disruptions."

He mentioned the semiconductor and battery sectors and introduced, "Regarding supply chain cooperation in advanced industries, there were far more commonalities than differences."

In a bilateral meeting with the United States held the previous day, Director Kim conveyed to Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor at the White House, concerns from Korean industries regarding the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act in the U.S., and requested active cooperation and attention at the level of the U.S. National Security Council (NSC) to resolve these issues.

The Presidential Office evaluated the trilateral security chiefs meeting, stating, "The three countries shared assessments of the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and international affairs, held in-depth discussions on future cooperation measures, and further strengthened a close cooperative system that allows frequent communication and collaboration going forward."

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