Japan-Republic of Korea Relations
Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk
On September 15, commencing at around 10:45 a.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a Japan-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Talk with H.E. Ms. Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the ROK. The overview of the telephone talk is as follows.
1. Minister Kono expressed the view that the ballistic missile launch on the morning of the same day cannot be overlooked, explained that Japanese citizens feel strong anger, and stated that in the wake of this launch it will be essential for the international community as a whole to apply an unprecedented new level of pressure on North Korea and force a change in North Korea’s policies.
2. Based on a shared awareness with Foreign Minister Kang that now is the time to increase pressure, the two sides confirmed that Japan and the ROK, and Japan, the ROK and the United States will continue to work closely together, including on the security front and at the United Nations Security Council, in order to increase pressure on North Korea.