Korea-Japan Senior Nuclear Envoys Discuss Korea-US-Japan Cooperation Measures (Comprehensive)

Evaluation of Rising North Korean Nuclear Threat at Seoul Meeting on 12th
Reconfirmation of Response Measures in Case of Further Provocations by North Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The chief nuclear representatives of South Korea and Japan met in Seoul on the 12th to discuss North Korea's nuclear threats and trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kim Gun, Head of the Korean Peninsula Peace Negotiation Division, met with Takehiro Funakoshi, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Ministry's building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the same day. They shared assessments of the "serious situation" in which North Korea is escalating nuclear threats by legalizing its nuclear weapons policy and conducting missile launch drills that assume the use of tactical nuclear weapons, and discussed future response measures.

Both sides also evaluated that security cooperation among the three countries?South Korea, the United States, and Japan?is being conducted closely in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they reaffirmed their commitment to respond firmly in cooperation with the international community if North Korea carries out additional provocations such as nuclear tests.

Furthermore, they agreed to continue strengthening close communication and cooperation between South Korea and Japan, as well as among South Korea, the United States, and Japan, to encourage North Korea to halt provocations and return to dialogue.

The Japanese side once again expressed support for the goal of the "Bold Initiative," which aims to achieve sustainable peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula through North Korea's complete denuclearization.

In a press release issued after the consultation, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Both sides once again shared the recognition that North Korea's very frequent ballistic missile launches, including the ballistic missile that flew over Japanese airspace on the 4th, constitute a serious and imminent threat to regional security and a clear and grave challenge to the international community."

It added, "They exchanged views on the latest North Korean situation and discussed future policies. Both sides reaffirmed that they will continue to cooperate closely in terms of security cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan to realize North Korea's complete denuclearization in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, strengthening regional deterrence, responses at the UN including the Security Council, and diplomatic measures."

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