In a united front, the United States, Japan, and South Korea have issued a joint statement denouncing North Korea’s recent firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), citing its violation of multiple United Nations resolutions and its direct threat to regional peace and stability. The missile, launched from North Korea’s eastern coast on Wednesday, achieved a flight time of 74 minutes, reaching an altitude of 6,000 km (3,728 miles) and covering a range of 1,000 km, making it the longest-ever recorded flight time for a North Korean missile, according to Japan’s assessment.
The three nations expressed their grave concern over this “clear, flagrant violation” and emphasized the urgent need for North Korea to cease its unlawful and escalatory actions and return to diplomatic dialogue. The joint statement, issued by top officials including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, and South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin, was delivered on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Jakarta, Indonesia.
During the meeting, Secretary Blinken reiterated the unwavering commitment of the United States to defend Japan and South Korea, underscoring the strength of their alliances. The joint statement emphasized that North Korea’s relentless pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities only strengthens the determination of the three nations and the international community to achieve complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
The recent missile launch followed a series of tensions, with North Korea lodging complaints about American spy planes allegedly intruding into its exclusive economic zone waters, expressing disapproval of a U.S. nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine’s visit to South Korea, and vowing to take countermeasures in response. The international community remains resolute in its condemnation of North Korea’s actions and calls for a peaceful resolution through dialogue.
