Joint Statement of the Leaders of

the Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand

July 12, 2023

The Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand strongly condemn today’s long-range ballistic missile launch by North Korea. This is yet another example of how North Korea continues to violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions and pose a grave challenge to peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, Indo-Pacific region as well as the international community.

The four countries resolutely oppose North Korea’s unlawful provocation and urge it to fully comply with all of its obligations under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. We will work together with the UN and members of the international community to ensure that UN Security Council resolutions that impose sanctions against North Korea are effectively implemented.

Even if North Korea continues to develop its nuclear and missile programs and threaten the use of nuclear weapons, it will only bolster the international community’s resolve to achieve complete denuclearization of North Korea. The Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand urge North Korea to cease provocations and promptly return to dialogue.