The United States, Japan and South Korea warned Wednesday that a North Korean nuclear test would require an “unprecedented force response”, also pledging to show unity after the communist regime’s multiple missile launches in Pyongyang.
After the talks in Tokyo, the three countries’ deputy foreign ministers clearly promised to strengthen their deterrence in the region.
“We have decided to further strengthen cooperation (…) so that North Korea will immediately stop its illegal activities and resume the denuclearization talks,” said South Korean Cho Hyun-dong.
“All three countries agreed on the need for an unprecedented force response if North Korea were to conduct its seventh nuclear test,” he told reporters.
Seoul and Washington have repeatedly warned that Pyongyang may be on the verge of another nuclear test, for the first time since 2017, after a series of ballistic missile launches in recent weeks.
A missile flew over Japan last month and North Korea separately claimed to have carried out tactical nuclear exercises.
“All of these behaviors are dangerous and deeply destabilizing,” said US Assistant Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, urging North Korea to “refrain from further provocation”.
Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Mori noted that “the intensification of North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities (…) constitutes a clear and serious challenge for the international community”.
The three countries have decided to “strengthen deterrence in our region in view of the denuclearization of North Korea”, he added.
