Following the launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea, Foreign Minister Hayashi met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the phone on the night of the 24th, strongly condemning the launch, and recognizing that it is a clear and serious challenge to the international community. We have confirmed that we will work closely together, including the response by the United States Secretary of State.
The telephone talk was held for about 30 minutes from 8 pm on the 24th.
Among them, among the repeated launches of ICBM-class ballistic missiles by North Korea, they strongly condemned the launch, and the fact that North Korea is strengthening its nuclear and missile activities is to the international community. We agreed that it was an obvious and serious challenge.
After that, we confirmed that we will work closely with the three countries, including Japan, the United States, and South Korea, including the response by the UN Security Council.
They also agreed that while the international community is focusing on responding to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, it should not be misleading to North Korea as an opportunity to take provocative actions. We reconfirmed the strengthening of deterrence and coping power.
Meanwhile, over the situation in Ukraine, Blinken said he would like to thank Japan for its leadership and cooperation.
After the meeting, Minister Hayashi told reporters, "The fall inside our EEZ = exclusive economic zone is a serious and imminent threat to our security, and it is a violence that cannot be overlooked. I would like to consider including sanctions. "