South Korea-US Foreign Ministers Strongly Condemn North Korea's Provocation of NLL Infringement

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Foreign Minister Park Jin discussed the response direction to North Korea's ballistic missile provocation south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the East Sea on the 2nd through a phone consultation with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

원본보기 아이콘

During the call on the morning of the same day, Minister Park and Secretary Blinken emphasized that North Korea's launch of ballistic missiles near South Korea's territorial waters by crossing the East Sea NLL is an unprecedented serious military provocation and strongly condemned it.

The two sides stressed that North Korea is the very party threatening peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the entire region by violating multiple UN Security Council resolutions and the September 19 Military Agreement through various ballistic missile launches, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

원본보기 아이콘

The two ministers also emphasized that any attempt to deceive will never succeed.

Earlier that day, Pak Jong-chon, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, threatened in a statement that if South Korea and the U.S. use force against North Korea, they will "pay a terrible price."

The two ministers lamented that this provocation, carried out during a national mourning period, is against humanity and humanitarianism, and agreed to respond firmly to the provocation.

In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they agreed to thoroughly prepare for any additional provocations while maintaining a strong ROK-U.S. combined defense posture and to continue strengthening cooperation to respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

Meanwhile, Secretary Blinken expressed his sincere condolences regarding the recent Itaewon tragedy, where many casualties occurred, and conveyed that the American people stand with the Korean people during this difficult time.

Minister Park expressed gratitude, saying that the messages of condolence conveyed by the U.S. side on various occasions have been a great source of strength to the Korean people.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.