Ishiba Highlights North Korea's Advancing Nuclear and Missile Capabilities in Asan Plenum Speech

Remarks on Korea-Japan Relations as Well
"The Conclusion of an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement Is Important"

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated in his speech at "Asan Plenum 2026" that "North Korea's capability to launch large volumes of missiles, as well as its high-speed and irregular maneuvering missile abilities, are improving."

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has just finished his keynote speech and is answering questions at the opening ceremony of Asan Plenum 2026 held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on the 8th. Photo by Yonhap News

On April 8, at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, former Prime Minister Ishiba delivered the keynote address at "Asan Plenum 2026" under the theme "Modernizing Alliances." He pointed to the advancement of North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities in his remarks.

He said, "From the perspective of maintaining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regime, the Japanese government does not recognize North Korea as a nuclear-armed state." However, he added, "It is undeniable that North Korea is steadily progressing in the development of both nuclear weapons and their delivery systems." In particular, he noted, "When dealing with a country whose highest priority appears to be the preservation of its current regime, punitive or retaliatory deterrence may not function fully and effectively."

Regarding nuclear sharing discussions, he stated, "Even if an ally does not physically deploy nuclear weapons, sharing the decision-making process and risks involved in the potential use of nuclear arms constitutes meaningful nuclear sharing." He further proposed, "South Korea, the United States, and Japan should promptly establish a system for regular discussions and communication." On the topic of collective security amid a rapidly changing international order, he raised the necessity for an "Asian version of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)."

Former Prime Minister Ishiba said, "It is most realistic to strengthen horizontal links among the countries that have concluded security treaties with the United States, and to advance a grid-like security cooperation that could eventually develop into a NATO-like framework." However, he also cited Japan's constitutional restraints, emphasizing that resolving domestic issues such as constitutional revision or the establishment of a fundamental security law must precede such developments.

On South Korea-Japan relations, he stated, "The conclusion of a bilateral Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) is an important task." Referring to the moral teachings of Yi Hwang, a renowned Korean Confucian scholar, he added, "I hope that the cooperation between South Korea and Japan will always keep in mind a moral and universal vision for the international community."

The Asan Plenum, hosted by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, was organized under the theme "Modernizing Alliances" to seek the future direction of U.S.-centered alliances that have continued for over 80 years since the end of World War II. Former Prime Minister Ishiba took the podium as the keynote speaker following a welcoming address by Honorary Chairman Chung Mong Joon and a video message from U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker. Additionally, more than 50 global experts, including former Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Victor Cha, Korea Chair at CSIS, are participating in in-depth discussions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.