Strengthening ROK-US-Japan Cooperation on North Korea Response... Strong Warning on 7th Nuclear Test Possibility

Kim Seong-han "7th Nuclear Test Is Not 6 Plus 1... Have Created a Bold Initiative Roadmap"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] South Korea, the United States, and Japan are strengthening cooperation to contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. At the first South Korea-U.S.-Japan National Security Advisors meeting held since the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, the three countries' security chiefs held broad consultations on North Korea's nuclear issue, advanced technology and supply chain cooperation, and major regional and international issues. In particular, they agreed to take a different approach to North Korea's potential additional nuclear tests.

Earlier, Kim Sung-han, South Korea's National Security Advisor, attended the South Korea-U.S.-Japan National Security Advisors meeting on the 1st (local time) at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii. From the U.S., Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor, and from Japan, Takeo Akiba, Director-General of the National Security Secretariat, participated.

At the meeting, Advisor Kim explained President Yoon's "Bold Initiative" regarding the North Korea issue and discussed cooperation measures between South Korea and the U.S. to implement it. The Blue House stated, "Advisor Kim also explained the initiative to Japan and requested their cooperation, while discussing bilateral cooperation measures against North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations."

On his way back, Advisor Kim mentioned regarding the "Bold Initiative," "The roadmap was already created during the process of discussing the Bold Initiative. It just cannot be disclosed." He added, "During the process of formulating the Bold Initiative, we had very in-depth consultations with Japan and the U.S., so at this trilateral meeting, both the U.S. and Japan expressed their full support," and said, "We agreed that the three parties will closely cooperate to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue through dialogue."

Regarding North Korea's seventh nuclear test, a strong warning was issued. The three countries agreed to respond strongly in coordination with the international community, emphasizing, "If North Korea conducts the seventh nuclear test, it will never be '6 plus 1'." He continued, "As I have said several times, North Korea is already prepared to conduct a nuclear test, so there was discussion on how South Korea, the U.S., and Japan will respond together with the international community if North Korea conducts the seventh nuclear test," adding, "We will further specify such discussions going forward."

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department announced that at the upcoming South Korea-U.S.-Japan senior officials' meeting on North Korea's nuclear issue to be held in Japan on the 7th, it will emphasize "the willingness to engage in dialogue while taking necessary measures to address North Korea's threats to the U.S. and its allies." The State Department said that the senior officials from the three countries will discuss a wide range of issues, including ongoing efforts to achieve complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

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