“The international community must severely respond to North Korea’s illegal activities.”
Prime Minister Han Deok-soo returned home on the 20th after attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in Bangkok, Thailand. Prime Minister Han discussed supply chain stability and climate change response with APEC member countries and held closed-door talks with top leaders of major countries condemning North Korea’s launch of a intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
According to the prime minister’s office, during the first session of the APEC summit held on the 18th under the theme of “balanced, inclusive and sustainable growth”, Prime Minister Han said, “The Korean government will restore fiscal strength while at the same time strengthen the social safety net and expand protection for low-income families.” We intend to do that,” he said. In the second session on “Sustainable Trade and Investment” the next day, he said, “APEC should make efforts to strengthen the multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and “Promoting Asia’s Progress – Pacific Free Trade Area Discussion (FTAAP). “APEC member states should commit to this.”
The summit statement adopted following the meeting also added the sentence “We support efforts to build an open, stable and resilient supply chain, strengthen supply chain connectivity and minimize disruptions,” as suggested by Korea.
On the 18th, the second day of his visit to Thailand, Prime Minister Han immediately expressed his condemnation of North Korea at the Session 1 meeting after North Korea launched an ICBM. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US Vice President Kamala Harris have also criticized North Korea’s provocations. Shortly thereafter, at the request of Vice President Harris, senior figures from six countries, including South Korea, the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, gathered to hold talks behind closed doors condemning North Korea’s provocations. North.
In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Han said, “North Korea’s launch of this long-range missile, coupled with the unprecedented number of missile launches this year, clearly violates multiple Security Council resolutions.” of the United Nations”. unite and respond decisively,” he stressed. “On behalf of the United States, I reaffirm our unwavering commitment to our Indo-Pacific alliance,” Vice President Harris said, “The nations gathered here continue to urge North Korea to engage in serious diplomacy.”
Reporter Yumi Seo