1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha spoke by phone with her US counterpart Rex Tillerson on November 29. They assessed the situation regarding North Korea’s long-range ballistic missile launch this morning, and engaged in in-depth discussions on ways to respond to it.

2. The Minister and the Secretary shared serious concern over North Korea’s reckless provocation resumed despite repeated warnings from the international community. They also agreed to continue to exert all the diplomatic efforts towards the complete denuclearization of North Korea, including strong sanctions and pressure, while maintaining a strong deterrence posture against North Korea to deter additional provocations by the North based on the overwhelming superiority in strength.

o Minister Kang especially talked about the ROK government’s efforts to successfully host the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games through a stable management of the situation on the Korean Peninsula. The US side expressed its full understanding and support.

3. The two sides agreed to continue close strategic communications in responding to the North Korean provocation, including sharing additional analyses of the provocation.


* unofficial translation