The United States, South Korea, and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to achieving the complete denuclearization of North Korea. This commitment was made during a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting was attended by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hee-don, US Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
The three ministers emphasized the importance of continuing to coordinate efforts to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. They also called on Pyongyang to resume dialogue, while stressing that the door for negotiations remains open. The ministers reiterated their commitment to denuclearizing North Korea in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
The trilateral meeting also focused on ways to prevent North Korea from generating revenue to fund its nuclear and missile programs. The ministers welcomed the work of the Multilateral Monitoring Team, which is tasked with monitoring the implementation of international sanctions against North Korea. They also supported measures aimed at countering North Korea's cyber threats and illicit activities in the IT sector.
In addition to discussing North Korea, the ministers also touched on regional security issues, including the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. They rejected unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, emphasizing the importance of freedom of navigation, flight, and legitimate trade in the Indo-Pacific region.
The ministers also explored ways to strengthen cooperation on economic security and energy, including enhancing supply chain resilience and countering economic coercion. They agreed to establish a new trilateral dialogue on economic security and to enhance cooperation on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and biotechnology.
Furthermore, the US, South Korea, and Japan discussed cooperation on nuclear energy, including the deployment of small modular nuclear reactors. They emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety, security, and non-proliferation of nuclear energy.
The trilateral meeting demonstrates the strong commitment of the US, South Korea, and Japan to regional security and stability. The three countries will continue to work together to address the challenges posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, while promoting peace and stability in the region.
Key points
- The US, South Korea, and Japan reaffirm their commitment to denuclearizing North Korea.
- The three countries call on Pyongyang to resume dialogue.
- The ministers discuss regional security issues, including the Taiwan Strait and economic security.
