[Provisional Translation]
October 7, 2022
Ministry of Defense
Defense officials from Japan, the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK), virtually held a meeting on Friday, October 7.
Japanese Director General for Defense Policy Masuda Kazuo, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner and ROK Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy Heo Taekeun discussed the situation of North Korea, including the recent series of ballistic missile launches and the strengthening of the trilateral security cooperation.
The representatives strongly condemned that the series of ballistic missile launches by North Korea is in violation of the relevant United Nation Security Council resolutions and threatens the peace and stability not only of the regions but also of the international community. In addition, the recent Japan-U.S.-ROK trilateral exercises demonstrate the commitment of three countries to respond to North Korean challenges, to protect common security and prosperity as well as to strengthen the rules-based international order, and they concurred to continue to strengthen Japan-U.S.-ROK trilateral cooperation, utilizing various approaches including ministerial-level consultations.