1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se spoke by phone with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on February 7. Regarding North Korea’s launch of a long-range missile on the morning of February 7 in addition to the nuclear test on January 6, the two sides analyzed the current situation and discussed ways for the ROK and Japan to work together on the issue.

2. The two Ministers shared the view that North Korea’s long-range missile launch in addition to the nuclear test not only poses a serious threat to the security of the two countries and the safety of their people, but also directly challenges global peace and security. They agreed to make multi-faceted responses that are different from the past.

o Regarding this, the two sides agreed to work together to accelerate the discussions on the adoption of a strong and effective Security Council sanctions resolution, following the emergency UN Security Council meeting to be convened on February 7 at the request of the ROK, the US and Japan.

3. The two Ministers also agreed to actively pursue cooperation between the ROK and Japan, and between the ROK, the US and Japan to make sure that responsible members of the international community, including the ROK and Japan, take strongest-ever unilateral sanctions, considering the seriousness of the latest North Korean provocations.

4. This telephone talk came about a week after the last telephone conversation between the two Ministers on February 1 concerning responses to North Korea’s nuclear test and the possibility of the North’s long-range missile launch. The two Ministers have spoken by phone three times since North Korea’s nuclear test on January 6.


* unofficial translation