1. On February 17, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lim Sung-nam met with US Representatives Robert Wittman and Madeleine Bordallo, members of the House Armed Services Committee, who are on a visit to the Republic of Korea. They engaged in an extensive exchange of views on the grave situation on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea’s fourth nuclear test and long-range missile launch, as well as ways to respond to the North Korean provocations, including sanctions against North Korea.

2. Vice Minister Lim welcomed the Representatives’ visit to the ROK, and said that this visit to the ROK by the members of the US House Armed Services Committee is very timely, given the grave security situation in Northeast Asia in the wake of North Korea’s fourth nuclear test and long-range missile launch.

o Representative Bordallo said that her latest visit to the ROK was an opportunity to reaffirm the strong ROK-US alliance and the solid ROK-US combined defense posture. She also said that the ROK and the US need to firmly respond to North Korea’s repeated provocations, in cooperation with the international community, while maintaining close collaboration between the two countries.

3. Vice Minister Lim took note of the US Congress’ strong determination to sanction North Korea, which was demonstrated by the Congress’ swift passage on February 12 of the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act (H.R. 757) in a bipartisan move. Vice Minister Lim said that it created momentum for stronger international responses to North Korea’s provocations.

o Vice Minister Lim expected that the implementation of specific measures under the Act will make it clear to North Korea that provocations are followed by punishments.

o Representative Wittman said that the latest North Korean provocations cannot be tolerated, and that North Korea must pay the price for its provocations. He expected that the US Congress’ passage of the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act will also play a positive role in adopting a strong UN Security Council sanctions resolution on North Korea.

4. Vice Minister Lim said that the ROK government, in close cooperation with the US and the international community, will continue to put strong pressure on North Korea in order to induce North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program. He requested the US Congress’ continued interest and support.


* unofficial translation