Japan, the U.S., and South Korea condemn North Korea's ballistic missile launch, strengthen cooperation

In response to North Korea's ballistic missile launch on the 15th, senior security officials from the three countries, Japan, the United States, and South Korea, issued a statement condemning the launch and agreeing that the three countries would respond by further strengthening cooperation.

In response to North Korea's launch of multiple ballistic missiles on the 15th, National Security Bureau Director Akiba, U.S. National Security Advisor Sullivan, and South Korean National Security Office Director Cho Tae-yong issued a statement.

"The launch clearly violates UN Security Council resolutions and demonstrates that North Korea's plans to develop weapons of mass destruction and missiles threaten the peace and stability of the region and the international community," the statement said.

On that basis, they reaffirmed the U.S.'s resolute determination for the security of Japan and the ROK, and shared the view that "the cooperation between the three countries will not be shaken by North Korea's provocations," and that the three countries will respond by further strengthening their cooperation.

In addition, the U.S. government announced on the 3th that it has added two North Korean men and women working in Beijing, the capital of China, to sanctions such as freezing assets in the United States for their involvement in the procurement of parts for North Korea's missile development.

Crab cage fishing boat: "I heard a loud noise like something had fallen."

After the Ministry of Defense announced on the night of the 15th that at least two ballistic missiles were launched from North Korea and appear to have fallen into the Japan Sea inside the Japan EEZ = exclusive economic zone, Tottori Prefecture held an emergency information liaison meeting from 2:10 p.m. bringing together relevant departments, police, the Self-Defense Forces, and others.

In this report, a prefectural official reported that a crab fishing vessel that was fishing for sockeye crab in the Yamato Bank, a fishing ground in the Japan Sea, contacted the shipping company that owns the fishing boat saying that it heard a loud noise as if something had fallen.

According to the prefecture, there was no damage to the fishing boat, and it has continued to operate since then.

Tottori Prefecture will make an urgent request to the government on the 16th to ensure the safety of fishing boats operating in the Japan Sea.

Governor Hirai of Tottori Prefecture said, "The missile launch is an act that cannot be tolerated at all, and I would like to lodge a strong protest with indignation, and I would like the government to take a firm stance."