US-ROK-Japan North Korea Nuclear Representatives Condemn North Korea's Ballistic Missile Launch... Discuss Response

Three-Party Phone Consultation Held Immediately After North Korea's Missile Launch

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 18th, the North Korea nuclear representatives of South Korea, the United States, and Japan condemned North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch and discussed response measures through a telephone consultation.

On the 18th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Kim Gun, head of the Korean Peninsula Peace Negotiation Headquarters, held a trilateral phone consultation with Jeffrey Park, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, and Namazu Hiroyuki, Japan's chief nuclear representative, regarding North Korea's ICBM launches over two days on the 17th and 18th. The representatives of the three countries strongly condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launches as a clear act of provocation that seriously threatens peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the international community, violating multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.

They also urged North Korea to immediately cease its threats and provocations and return to the path of denuclearization. Furthermore, they pointed out that North Korea's illegal nuclear development, including tactical nuclear weapons, and threats of preemptive nuclear use are fundamental causes undermining regional peace and security. They warned that North Korea's continued nuclear and missile development and provocations only strengthen the trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan, as well as the international community, thereby harming North Korea's own security.

They agreed to actively respond to North Korea's attempts. Additionally, to cut off funding sources for North Korea's nuclear and missile development, they decided to promote various cooperative efforts, including solidarity among allied countries, under close trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation within the United Nations Security Council.

Earlier, North Korea launched an ICBM around 8:24 a.m. that day, just 10 hours after firing a short-range ballistic missile the previous night. This was North Korea's first ICBM launch in over five months since July 12, when it fired the solid-fuel-based ICBM "Hwasong-18." With this, North Korea has launched ICBMs five times this year, setting an annual record.

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