Japan-North Korea Relations
Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting
July 14, 2023
On July 14, commencing at 7:00 p.m. (local time, on July 14, 9:00 p.m. Japan time) for approximately 50 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, visiting Indonesia (Jakarta) for the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, held a Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with the Honorable Antony Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America, and His Excellency Mr. Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
After the meeting, a Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Joint Statement (Japanese (PDF)
/ English (PDF)) was issued.
- At the meeting, the three Ministers concurred to continue close coordination among Japan, the U.S. and the ROK including at the Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit proposed by the U.S., in order to bring Japan-U.S.-ROK coordination to a new height on the foundation of respectively enhanced bilateral relations.
- The three Ministers strongly condemned the ICBM-class ballistic missile launch by North Korea on July 12, which poses a grave threat to peace and security of the international community. The three Ministers confirmed that they will continue to work closely to enhance deterrence and response capabilities in the region including trilateral security cooperation, and to ensure the full implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. The three Ministers also concurred to further deepen coordination at the UN Security Council, given that Japan, the U.S. and the ROK will be working together at the UN Security Council in 2024. The three Ministers shared the recognition that the path to dialogue with North Korea remains open, and confirmed that three countries will work even more closely in this regard. Foreign Minister Hayashi also expressed his appreciation for continued support from the Secretary and the Minister on the abductions issue.
- Furthermore, given the strategic importance of cooperation among Japan, the U.S. and the ROK, the three Ministers exchanged views on regional situations including Ukraine, cooperation to realize a “Free and Open IndoPacific”, strengthening cooperation on economic security, and coordination to prevent the spread of disinformation regarding ALPS treated water.
- The three Ministers concurred to further enhance the collaboration among Japan, the U.S. and the ROK at multiple levels.