Press Conference 21 October 2003
- Questions concerning alleged second launch of short-range missile by North Korea
Press Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima: Good afternoon, thank you very much for coming to this briefing. Today I have no opening announcement or statements to make. If there are any questions, I would be happy to answer.
Q: I would like to ask you about this report on the second launch by North Korea of short-range missiles. Could you please give us as much information as you have on this?
Mr. Takashima: We have information which indicates that North Korea has launched a missile again this morning, but it is not confirmed yet. However, if it is true, we think that it is not very constructive in light of the current situation surrounding North Korea, as it and the five other parties are in negotiations to resolve this nuclear issue in a peaceful and diplomatic manner. All six parties agreed at the last session held in Beijing, People's Republic of China in August that each member would refrain from any sort of action that would worsen the situation.
At the same time, we recognize that this second missile might have been the same type of missile that was launched yesterday, which was an anti-ship missile, meaning it was short-range and not ballistic. It poses no direct threat to Japan or its neighbors. That is the information I have right now and I cannot add anything more to that.
Q: Can you specify the source of information because the Government of the Republic of Korea so far is denying the report?
Mr. Takashima: That is a matter of intelligence on which we do not disclose any sources of information.
Q: First question, this is the second launch of missiles. Do you not think this a threat to Japan? And another, what do you think are the reasons why North Korea is doing it? Could you give us your opinion about why they are doing it?
Mr. Takashima: The reason is kind of a guessing game and I cannot comment on behalf of the North Koreans. However, if you recall, this is the second launch and back in March, they fired two missiles of the same type.
Q: One week ago, North Korea said that it wants to show its ability and nuclear weapons. Do you think it has some connection with this launch today?
Mr. Takashima: As I have said, today's missile as well as yesterday's, we believe them to be anti-ship missiles, short-range and not ballistic, so they are not nuclear weapons.
However, we saw the report that North Korea said that they might exhibit their nuclear capability. Again, at the last six-party talks held in August, all participants agreed that they would refrain from taking any action that would worsen the situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, even if those were words only spoken by somebody at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it certainly does not help to make things any better. Thus, we believe that the North Koreans should refrain from that sort of action and even making a statement as such.
Q: Will the six-party consultations be held again in November, as it seems to be the plan?
Mr. Takashima: We know that the Government of China is making an effort to organize the second round of six-party talks, but my understanding is that it has not reached an agreement with North Korea. We are waiting for a message from Beijing on that.
At the same time, Japan as well as the United States and the Republic of Korea, we all would like to see the second round of talks held as soon as possible.
Q: Will it affect the possibility of negotiations?
Mr. Takashima: We hope that the talks will be held soon but we do not have a date for them yet.
Q: So you do not think that these recent missile launches are delaying the possibility of the talks. Do you not think that the talks are in jeopardy because of these launches? And do you think it was a deliberate attempt by North Korea to delay these talks?
Mr. Takashima: As far as we are concerned, we do not think that these missile launches would delay the possible second round of talks. However, we cannot make any guesses as to the North Korean attitude.
Q: As mentioned, there have been some differing accounts between the Governments of Japan and the Republic of Korea on the description of events. Has there been any official contact between the two regarding this missile launch?
Mr. Takashima: As far as the missile launch is concerned, I do not have any information of communication between Tokyo and Seoul.
Q: Yesterday in the press there was mention that the United States would be willing to give some kind of security assurance to North Korea, but it was not specified what kind. I think that there is not enough focus on that. What is your take on this issue as far as the Government of Japan is concerned, especially on the concrete steps to give North Korea a security assurance?
Mr. Takashima: We welcome the American effort to make these six-party talks a success. On his visit to Japan last week, US President George W. Bush met with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and said that he was willing to consider giving a possible assurance of security to the North Koreans, so we are aware of the American intention and welcome it.
Q: I am not sure if the proposed assurance is exactly what North Korea wants, but on the form that this security assurance would take, what is your position?
Mr. Takashima: We understand that the United States does not want to have any sort of treaty as such with North Korea and we appreciate that position. At the same time, the US side is closely consulting on this issue with Japan and the Republic of Korea, and we are coordinating our policy toward North Korea. With our full understanding, the United States would make a proposal to North Korea. Still, the work has just begun or is about to begin and nothing has been finalized yet. Therefore, we do not know what sort of document or arrangement would be given.
Q: Do you think that there might be some concrete negotiations among the six parties?
Mr. Takashima: We do not know that yet. We will just have to wait and see what will happen.
Q: You said that you do not think that this latest missile launch will cause a delay of the next round of six-way talks. Is that right?
Mr. Takashima: As far as Japan is concerned, we do not have any intention to delay the six-party talks because of this launch, but I cannot say anything on the attitude of North Korea or any other party.
Q: At the same time, you said that the missile launches are not very constructive, so why will these launches not cause a delay in the talks on Japan's part?
Mr. Takashima: I repeat that no date has been set yet. Japan would like to have the second round of talks be held as soon as possible. We are very much appreciative of the Chinese effort to organize these talks and my understanding is that the Chinese are working very hard to persuade the North Koreans to come back to the negotiating table. On the date and venue for the second round of talks, we are waiting for word from China.
Related Information (Japan-North Korea Relations)
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