(attachment 3) Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) Defense Ministerial Meeting (Summary)

October 23, 2017
Ministry of Defense

On October 23rd, 2017, Defense Minister Onodera, who was visiting the Philippines to attend the 4th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), held a meeting with Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo. The overview of the meeting is as follows:

1. Current situation in North Korea

The two Ministers exchanged their views on the current situation in North Korea. They confirmed once again that it is important that Japan and ROK as well as Japan, ROK and the United States further increase pressure on and send a strong message to North Korea to deter repeated provocations, and that they will continue to closely cooperate on the North Korea's nuclear and missile issues.

2. Japan-ROK defense cooperation and exchanges

Furthermore, the two Ministers exchanged their views on Japan-ROK defense cooperation and exchanges, and agreed to steadily implement concrete cooperation and exchange programs such as personnel exchanges and mutual visits of vessels and aircraft, and to advance cooperation, both based on good bilateral cooperation