Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Korea and Japan held a Defense Ministers’ Meeting and pledged close communication for security cooperation

During a bilateral meeting at the 20th Asian Security Conference on June 4, Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup (left) meets with Japanese counterpart, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, to discuss security cooperation between Korea and Japan, as well as among Korea, the United States and Japan.

The defense ministers of Korea and Japan have strongly condemned North Korea for firing what it claims to be a space launch vehicle. They said that launching a satellite is a serious violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

On June 4, Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup had a bilateral meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada and discussed ways to strengthening security cooperation between Korea and Japan, as well as among Korea, the United States, and Japan to counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region.

The ministers of the two countries agreed to develop the bilateral relationship to a higher level, and defense authorities pledged close communication to strengthen security cooperation.

In particular, since North Korea’s firing of a long-range ballistic missile on May 31 that it claimed to be a satellite is a grave violation of UN Security Council resolutions that ban launches using ballistic missile technology, the two ministers strongly denounced it.

They acknowledged the necessity of developing Korea-Japan and Korea-US-Japan security cooperation further to deter and respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, and on the importance of promoting exchanges at various levels while building confidence between the defense authorities of Korea and Japan.

The two ministers reaffirmed the importance of an international order based on international norms and rules. They agreed to discuss regional and global challenges that the two countries, which share universal values, are facing.

The Defense Ministry said, “The two ministers promised to promote future-oriented security cooperation between Korea and Japan, as well as among Korea, the United States and Japan, and also pledged to enhance communication between the defense authorities of Korea and Japan. Additionally, they agreed to accelerate discussions regarding outstanding issues between the defense authorities of the two countries, including ways to prevent recurrence.”

By Chae-Mu, Im <lims86@dema.mil.kr > 

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