Korea-Japan, Strict Response to Additional Provocations from North Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The chief nuclear negotiators of South Korea and Japan met to discuss responses to North Korea's additional provocations.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 19th, Kim Gun, Head of the Korea Peace Negotiation Headquarters, met in the afternoon with Takehiro Funakoshi, Japan's chief nuclear negotiator and Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is visiting Korea, to share assessments of the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula and discuss response measures.

Both sides urged North Korea to promptly return to denuclearization talks, stating that despite repeated warnings from the international community, if North Korea continues provocations?such as announcing it will complete preparations for its first military reconnaissance satellite by April next year?they will respond firmly and strictly.

They evaluated the close consultations between the two countries at various levels on North Korea's nuclear and missile issues since the Korea-Japan summit held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, last November. They also agreed to continue strengthening related communication and cooperation going forward.

Meanwhile, during his visit to Korea, Director-General Funakoshi was scheduled to hold Korea-Japan director-level talks with Seo Min-jung, Director-General of the Asia-Pacific Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but the schedule will be rescheduled due to the passing of Director-General Seo's mother. In addition to the Korea-Japan chief nuclear negotiators' meeting on the day, Director-General Funakoshi is also expected to pay a courtesy visit to Cho Hyun-dong, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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