1. On February 5, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se summoned US Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Mark Lippert, Japanese Ambassador to the ROK Koro Bessho, Australian Ambassador to the ROK William Paterson, and EU Ambassador to the ROK Gerhard Sabathil, and held intensive discussions on ways to strengthen unilateral sanctions by the ROK, the US, Japan, Australia, and the EU against North Korea, in addition to the efforts to adopt a UN Security Council sanctions resolution.

2. Minister Yun and the four Ambassadors agreed that North Korea’s policy of pursuing both nuclear weapons development and economic development can never succeed. Regarding North Korea’s fourth nuclear test and notification of its plan to launch a long-range missile, they shared the resolution that each country will work to unilaterally impose strongest-ever sanctions against North Korea, in addition to strong and comprehensive Security Council sanctions. They agreed to continue to closely cooperate in fulfilling the resolution completely and thoroughly.

3. With regard to each country’s additional unilateral sanctions, Minister Yun and the Ambassadors agreed to seek multi-dimensional and multi-level sanctions by conducting an overall review of all areas where effective sanctions can be imposed on North Korea, including weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related areas, and taking complementary measures.

o They also agreed to continue to fully cooperate to make sure that North Korea pays a price for a series of provocations in disregard of the UN Security Council’s authority and the international community’s warning.

4. In addition to the efforts to draw up strong and comprehensive UN Security Council sanctions, Minister Yun and the Ambassadors agreed to hold this type of dialogue frequently, while utilizing existing channels.

5. Minister Yun will continue the aforementioned efforts at various diplomatic events, including the Munich Security Conference (February 12-14).


* unofficial translation