Korea-US-Japan: "North Korea's Satellite Launch Violates Security Council"

South Korea, the United States, and Japan held the 14th Korea-US-Japan Security Meeting (DTT) via video conference on the 24th (Korean time) and condemned North Korea's violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions, including the launch of military reconnaissance satellites and Russia's weapons support.

Ely Ratner, U.S. Department of Defense Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs (second from the right in the front row in the left photo), Cho Chang-rae, Director of Policy Planning at the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea (center), and Kano Koji, Director-General of the Defense Policy Bureau at Japan's Ministry of Defense (center in the right photo) are holding a virtual meeting. (Photo by Ministry of National Defense)

원본보기 아이콘

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 25th, the meeting was attended by Cho Chang-rae, Director General of Defense Policy at the Ministry of National Defense, Ely Ratner, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, and Kano Koji, Director of Defense Policy Bureau at Japan's Ministry of Defense, as chief representatives respectively.

At the meeting, the representatives of the three countries pointed out that North Korea's recent diversification of nuclear delivery means, multiple ballistic missile launches, the launch of military reconnaissance satellites using ballistic missile technology, and illegal ship-to-ship transfers and weapons transport with Russia clearly violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions. They also reaffirmed their position that if North Korea conducts a seventh nuclear test, it will face strong and resolute responses from the international community.

The three representatives mentioned the failure to extend the mandate of the UN expert panel monitoring the implementation of Security Council sanctions against North Korea due to Russia's veto and agreed to strengthen efforts to effectively enforce sanctions against North Korea. They also reaffirmed that enhanced security cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan significantly contributes to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Korean Peninsula.

The three representatives shared concerns about actions inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and emphasized the importance of fully respecting international law regarding freedom of navigation and overflight, sending a message aimed at China, which is expanding its maritime presence in the South China Sea. They also stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait area and checked China's coercive attitude toward Taiwan. Regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, they pointed out it as a serious violation of the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty and reaffirmed their commitment to stand with Ukraine against the unjust and illegal war of aggression.

The three representatives agreed to hold the 15th Korea-US-Japan Security Meeting in South Korea in the second half of this year.

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