North Korea’s Missile Launch Prompts Unified Response from U.S., South Korea, Japan

On Thursday, regarding the ICBM launch of North Korea, the ROK, U.S., and Japan stated, “We strongly urge the DPRK to immediately cease its series of provocative and destabilizing actions that threaten peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.”

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae Yul, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya held a call to condemn North Korea’s ICBM launch. They released a joint statement declaring, “The DPRK’s launch is in flagrant violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. “

In their statement, officials noted that the recent launch followed North Korea’s constitutional designation of South Korea as a hostile state. They reaffirmed U.S. and Japanese support for the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula and urged North Korea to return to dialogue without delay. They emphasized that lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula can only be achieved through dialogue.

The three countries affirmed that South Korea, the U.S., Japan, and the international community will collaborate closely to complete the Korean Peninsula’s denuclearization. They also committed to intensifying joint efforts to curb North Korea’s illicit revenue streams that fund its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs.

The ministers of the three countries declared, “The ROK, U.S., and Japan condemn in the strongest terms deepening military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including continued unlawful arms transfers, as well as the recent deployment of North Korean troops to Russia.”

During this call, the United States reaffirmed its defense commitments to South Korea and Japan. The three countries agreed to enhance their security cooperation to address North Korea’s nuclear and missile issues effectively.