U.S., Japan, South Korea Join Forces in Seoul to Tackle North Korea’s Provocation

Representatives from South Korea, the United States, and Japan convened in Seoul on the 18th to address North Korean provocations, escalating tensions, and North Korean Foreign Minister Choi Son Hui’s visit to Russia. They discussed various issues concerning the Korean Peninsula’s current situation.

The meeting took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul. It featured Kim Geon, who heads the Korean Peninsula Peace Negotiation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jung H. Pak, a senior official for North Korea at the U.S. State Department, and Hiroyuki Namazu, the director of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his remarks, Director Kim highlighted North Korea’s consistent backtracking while South Korea and its partners strive for lasting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. He criticized North Korea for generating tension internally, using old tactics like announcing plans to dissolve South Korean organizations and shifting blame to South Korea and the U.S., labeling it a “North Korean version of isolation policy.” He emphasized that such outdated efforts would only harm North Korea itself.

Furthermore, Director Kim stressed that “a military buildup without a strong economy is unsustainable,” citing Bill Clinton’s famous 1992 U.S. presidential campaign slogan, “It’s the economy, stupid.” He added, “Tens of thousands of nuclear weapons could not prevent the collapse of the Soviet Union.”

The three nations, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, likely shared their assessments of recent developments in North Korean-Russian relations, including Choi Son Hui’s visit to Russia from the 15th to the 17th. They also explored ways to enhance cooperation with the international community to prevent North Korean-Russian military collaboration.

There is growing concern within the international community due to North Korea’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia, as indicated by a joint statement from the foreign ministers of 50 countries worldwide and the high representative for foreign affairs and security of the European Union (EU) on the 4th.

Director Kim pointed out, “Kim Jong Un may be banking on illegal military cooperation with Russia, but this path will only lead North Korea to a dead-end.” He added, “It will only reinforce North Korea’s reputation as a blatant violator of international rules and norms.”

Additionally, discussions likely took place on practical measures to cut off the North Korean regime’s financial resources for its nuclear and missile programs. These measures include addressing illegal cyber activities, the deployment of overseas workers, and maritime transshipment.

Before the trilateral consultation involving South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, Director Kim held a bilateral consultation with Jung Pak, the U.S. State Department’s senior official for North Korea, earlier in the day.