US: "South Korea-US-Japan Cooperation on North Korea Sanctions...Proof of Strengthened Tripartite Relations"

(Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The White House stated that the simultaneous measures taken by South Korea, the United States, and Japan against North Korea's development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missiles demonstrate the strengthened power of the trilateral relationship.

Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the National Security Council (NSC), said in a statement on the 2nd (local time), "Following the summit last month between President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, the leaders condemned North Korea's unprecedented level of ballistic missile launches this year, agreed to strengthen deterrence, and to build closer trilateral cooperation in security and broader areas," adding this.

Spokesperson Watson assessed, "Facing complex sanctions from the United States and the United Nations that isolate North Korea from the international financial system, North Korea is turning to cryptocurrency theft and other cyber thefts to procure necessary funds."

He stated, "Sanctions have been successful in slowing the progress of North Korea's illicit weapons programs," and added, "As North Korea adjusts its tactics in response to international pressure, we will continue to use all available tools to further restrict the development of destabilizing weapons programs."

He pointed out, "The door to diplomacy is not closed, but North Korea must cease destabilizing actions and engage in diplomacy," and noted, "The decision to ignore our offers for dialogue is not the best choice for North Korea or for the North Korean people who continue to suffer under the regime's decisions."

He emphasized, "We will continue to closely coordinate with our allies and partners to respond to North Korea's threats and to achieve the common goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

The United States designated three additional North Korean Workers' Party officials involved in North Korea's WMD and ballistic missile development as sanctions targets the previous day.

Following this, South Korea additionally designated eight individuals and seven organizations involved in North Korea's nuclear and missile development and sanctions evasion as independent sanctions targets, and immediately thereafter, Japan also added three organizations and one individual involved in North Korea's nuclear and missile development to its sanctions list against North Korea.