NHK, 17 January 2018— The foreign ministers of Japan, the United States and South Korea have confirmed that the 3 countries will lead international efforts to maximize pressure on North Korea.
Japan’s Foreign Minister Taro Kono met US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha on Tuesday in Vancouver, Canada. The meeting followed a 20-nation foreign ministerial conference in the city on the North’s nuclear and missile programs.
They agreed that it is meaningful to have confirmed a policy at the conference to raise pressure on Pyongyang to the highest possible level.
They also agreed to step up their support to lead other countries to fully implement UN Security Council resolutions concerning North Korea, in addition to their leading role in international efforts to further squeeze the country in security, defense and other areas.
Later, Kono talked with Tillerson during a one-and-a-half-hour dinner meeting about a recent series of US military aircraft accidents in Okinawa.
Kono called for drastic measures to prevent a recurrence after expressing regret over and protesting the accidents.
Tillerson said it is regrettable that local residents feel worried, even though the US military helicopters involved cautiously made emergency landings. He also stressed that more efforts should be made for maintenance and safe operation of US military aircraft.
