Defense Minister Hamada holds a telephone conversation with US Secretary of Defense “Close cooperation among Japan, the US, and South Korea”

In response to the launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea, Defense Minister Hamada had a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin on the night of the 4th Japan time, and expressed the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance against North Korea's provocative actions. We confirmed the policy of close cooperation among Japan, the United States, and Japan, the United States, and South Korea in order to strengthen cooperation.

A telephone conversation between Defense Minister Hamada and US Secretary of Defense Austin took place from 8:30 pm on the 4th for about 15 minutes.

In the statement, Minister Hamada criticized North Korea, saying, ``The launch of ballistic missiles over our country is a grave and imminent threat to our country's security, and such a violent act is absolutely unacceptable.''

On top of that, we will not rule out all options, including the so-called "counterattack capability," which will strike the enemy's missile launching bases in order to protect the lives and livelihoods of the Japanese people. informed the policy.

In response, Secretary Austin said, "The United States' commitment to extended deterrence, including nuclear weapons, against Japan is unwavering."

They also confirmed that Japan, the United States, and South Korea will work closely together to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance in response to North Korea's provocative actions. did.

Deputy Foreign Ministers of Japan, the United States, and South Korea Discuss

Deputy Secretary of State Mori of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a telephone conversation tonight with Deputy Secretary of State Sherman of the United States and First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyung Don of South Korea for approximately 25 minutes tonight.

During the talks, the three said that North Korea launched ballistic missiles four times in one week last week, and that today it launched a ballistic missile that flew over Japan. We strongly condemned it as an imminent threat and a clear and serious challenge to the international community.

On top of that, at the end of this month, a vice-ministerial level meeting will be held in Tokyo to discuss the strengthening of regional deterrence, including trilateral security cooperation among Japan, the United States, and South Korea, with the aim of achieving the complete denuclearization of North Korea in line with UN Security Council resolutions. It was confirmed that close cooperation will be held, including holding consultations on

Director General Akiba meets with the Secretary General of Mongolia's National Security Council

Akiba, the director of the National Security Agency, has been visiting Mongolia, a traditional ally of North Korea, since the 3rd, and on the 4th, met with Enkhbayar, Secretary General of the National Security Council, for about two hours.

"This ballistic missile launch poses a grave and imminent threat to Japan's national security, and threatens the peace and security of the region and the international community, and is absolutely unacceptable," Akiba said. .

The two leaders then confirmed that they would work together to ensure peace and stability in the region.

At the meeting, the two leaders also exchanged views on cooperation in the field of security based on the "Strategic Partnership" between the two countries and the regional situation. We agreed to go.