Korea-US-Japan Senior Representatives on North Korea's Nuclear Issue Strongly Condemn North Korea's Resumption of Ballistic Missile Launches

Kim Gun, Head of the Korean Peninsula Peace Negotiation Headquarters, Holds Phone Talks with US and Japan Representatives
Concerns Over Rising Regional Tensions Following North Korea's Resumption of Ballistic Missile Launches

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Kim Gun, the chief representative for North Korean nuclear negotiations and head of the Korea Peninsula Peace Negotiation Headquarters, held a phone consultation with the United States and Japan on the 28th and strongly condemned North Korea's resumption of ballistic missile launches.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kim Gun held separate phone consultations in the afternoon with Sung Kim, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, and Takehiro Funakoshi, Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The three chief representatives strongly condemned North Korea for resuming ballistic missile launches after suspending them for the past two weeks following the conclusion of the Chinese Party Congress, continuing provocations that escalate tensions in the region.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

They also reiterated that North Korea's illegal provocations, which are a direct violation of UN Security Council resolutions, cannot be justified under any circumstances.

The three chief representatives emphasized that North Korea's nuclear and missile development only leads to strengthened security cooperation within and beyond the region, including South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, and urged North Korea to immediately halt provocations and return to dialogue.

They agreed to continue strengthening bilateral and trilateral communication and cooperation for a united and resolute response from the international community.

The South Korea-U.S. chief representatives for North Korean nuclear issues agreed to maintain a robust South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture and to thoroughly prepare for any possible additional provocations by North Korea.