1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha spoke by phone with her Japanese counterpart Taro Kono 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. Minister Kang expressed serious concern over North Korea’s reckless provocation resumed despite repeated warnings from the international community, and said that the international community should be united in continuing all diplomatic efforts, including strong sanctions and pressure, to deter North Korea from developing nuclear and missile capabilities.

o Foreign Minister Kono agreed on that, and said that it is important to continue close cooperation between the ROK and Japan, and among the ROK, the US and Japan, in a range of areas, including at the UN Security Council, in order to make sure that the international community can take stronger and more effective measures to put pressure on North Korea.

3. The two Ministers agreed to continue communications at each level between the two countries regarding the denuclearization of North Korea.


* unofficial translation