1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State John Kerry on May 7. The two diplomats discussed ways for the Republic of Korea and the United States to coordinate on North Korea and its nuclear issue and other major global issues, including the seventh Congress of the Workers’ Party of North Korea, the possibility of additional provocations from North Korea and ways to respond to them should they be conducted.

2. The Minister and the Secretary exchanged views on the opening remarks and other developments at the seventh Congress of the Workers’ Party of North Korea. They agreed to pay close attention to the key results of the Congress to be announced by North Korea, and continue close ROK-US coordination, including on the next steps.

° The two top diplomats expressed deep concern over the fact that North Korea, by publicizing its nuclear test and launch of a long-range missile as its best feats in the opening remarks at the Congress, had made explicit its commitment to nuclear and missile development. They agreed to continue sending strong warning messages jointly with the international community in order to deter North Korea from conducting further nuclear tests and other provocations.

° Minister Yun brought attention to the fact that such a strong message to North Korea had been included in the “ROK-Iran joint statement for comprehensive partnership” adopted on May 2 during President Park Geun-hye’s visit to Iran and the “Declaration of the Fifth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA)” adopted on April 28. In response, Secretary Kerry noted with appreciation the ROK’s efforts in that regard, attaching significance to such messages and expressing hope that they would have impact on North Korea’s actions.

3. The Minister and the Secretary agreed to work closely with the international community to induce North Korea to genuinely change its attitude. To that end, they agreed to continuously intensify sanctions, including those under UN Security Council resolutions, and pressure on North Korea in order to make the country realize that it has no other options but denuclearization and demonstrate with action its willingness toward denuclearization.

° The two top diplomats shared the view that should North Korea engage in further provocations in defiance of the warnings from the international community, it will face unendurable isolation and other difficulties brought on by united pressure and sanctions from the international community.

° With regard to the possibility of further provocations from North Korea, Secretary Kerry reaffirmed the steadfast commitment of the US to the defense of the ROK. The Minister and the Secretary agreed to continue close consultations between the ROK and US governments in a bid to maintain their strong deterrence and combined defense posture.

4. With respect to global issues, the Minister and the Secretary discussed ways to work together in addressing such issues as those concerning the preservation of marine resources and environment as well as refugees.


* unofficial translation