U.S., Japan, and South Korea Reaffirm Commitment to North Korea’s Denuclearization
MUNICH: The United States, Japan, and South Korea have reiterated their firm commitment to achieving the complete denuclearization of North Korea, according to a joint statement released on Saturday.
This declaration followed meetings between newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, South Korean Foreign Minister Choe Tae-yul, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
“The Secretary and Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the full denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in line with United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs),” the statement read.
Additionally, the three diplomats voiced serious concerns about North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, its involvement in cybercrimes such as cryptocurrency theft, and its growing military ties with Russia.
The joint statement also included a stern warning against any hostile actions from Pyongyang, emphasizing that the three nations would not tolerate threats to their security. They pledged to continue enforcing and strengthening international sanctions against North Korea. Furthermore, the leaders highlighted their commitment to resolving humanitarian issues, including the cases of abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war, as well as the reunification of separated families.
North Korea remains largely isolated on the global stage, facing heavy sanctions while advancing its nuclear weapons program. The U.S. has long viewed Pyongyang’s actions as a major security challenge.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who engaged in unprecedented diplomatic meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his tenure, has expressed interest in reestablishing contact with Kim. He has previously described the North Korean leader as “smart.”
Despite past diplomatic efforts, North Korea announced in January that it would continue its nuclear program indefinitely. Earlier this month, Pyongyang condemned U.S. policies, particularly after Rubio referred to North Korea as a “rogue state” during a radio interview.
Tensions have further escalated following the recent arrival of a U.S. nuclear submarine at a South Korean naval base, which North Korea denounced as a “hostile military act.”
A high-profile summit between Trump and Kim in Hanoi in 2019 collapsed after both sides failed to reach an agreement on sanctions relief and denuclearization terms.
