Korea, US, Japan Reaffirm Complete Denuclearization of North Korea: "Path to Dialogue Remains Open"

Opposing Unilateral Changes to the Status Quo in the Taiwan Strait

Launch of New Economic Security Consultation Body

Strengthening Supply Chain Early Warning Systems

Accelerating Third-Country SMR Deployment

The foreign ministers of Korea, the United States, and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea and called on North Korea to return to dialogue. They also agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and decided to strengthen the early warning system for supply chains in order to jointly respond to economic coercion.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun held a Korea-US-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the 21st (local time) at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York, USA, with US Secretary of State Mark Rubio and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu to discuss the Korean Peninsula issue, regional and global situations, economic security, and practical cooperation measures. New York, USA - Special Correspondent Yoonju Hwang

On September 21 (local time), Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun held a Korea-US-Japan foreign ministers' meeting at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York, USA, together with US Secretary of State Mark Rubio and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, to discuss issues related to the Korean Peninsula, regional and global affairs, economic security, and measures for practical cooperation. The three ministers reaffirmed the Korea-US-Japan joint statement adopted in September last year and emphasized progress in trilateral cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Reaffirmation of North Korean Denuclearization and Dialogue... Strengthening Economic Security Cooperation

In a joint statement, the three ministers stated, "We reaffirmed our firm commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with the relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions and our resolve to prohibit support that enables North Korea to generate revenue for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs."

They also reiterated, "We reaffirm that the path to dialogue remains open and urge North Korea to return to talks," agreeing to continue efforts to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun is having a conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio at the Lotte New York Palace Hotel in New York, U.S., on the 21st (local time). Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations

They also voiced support for the activities of the Multinational Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), which tracks North Korea’s violations of Security Council resolutions and attempts to evade sanctions. They welcomed international advisories regarding North Korean IT personnel and progress in addressing cyber threats achieved through the Korea-US-Japan working group meeting held in June. The ministers once again stressed their commitment to immediately resolving the issues of abductees, detainees, prisoners of war, and separated families.

The United States reaffirmed its commitment to the defense of Korea and Japan, including its nuclear and other military capabilities, as well as its extended deterrence pledge.

Reaffirming Peace and Stability in the Taiwan Strait

On the sensitive issue of Taiwan, which has drawn strong reactions from China, the three ministers maintained the existing Korea-US-Japan policy stance. They emphasized the importance of fostering peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. They expressed their opposition to any unilateral efforts to change the status quo and their support for meaningful participation by Taiwan in relevant international organizations.

They further stressed that, under international law as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), freedom of navigation and overflight and the unobstructed pursuit of lawful commercial activities must be ensured throughout the Indo-Pacific and worldwide.

In the area of economic security, while not directly mentioning any single country, the ministers declared their firm opposition to arbitrary export restrictions that disrupt supply chains, harmful overproduction, economic coercion that distorts the market, and non-market policies and practices.

The three foreign ministers agreed to strengthen the Korea-US-Japan supply chain early warning system to maintain free and transparent trade and secure critical supply chains. They welcomed the newly launched trilateral economic security framework. They also expressed their interest in expanding cooperation in the semiconductor sector and promoting joint efforts among national research institutes of Korea, the US, and Japan.

Accelerating SMR Deployment... Strengthening Energy Security Cooperation

81st United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week held at the UN. New York (USA) – Special Correspondent Yoonju Hwang

They also decided to further enhance energy security cooperation. The ministers highlighted the need to bolster regional energy supply chain resilience by increasing oil reserves and promoting collaboration between energy-producing and energy-consuming nations.

In particular, they agreed to mutually implement the Korea-US-Japan Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Small Modular Reactors (SMR), which was signed on July 7, to accelerate the deployment of SMRs in third countries. Korea, the US, and Japan plan to combine financing, reactor technology, design and construction capabilities, and pursue a "fleet project" involving the joint deployment of multiple reactors to reduce both costs and business risks. They will also jointly support feasibility studies, the establishment of regulatory frameworks, investment attraction, and local workforce training.

The three ministers committed to jointly fostering and protecting core and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology, digital infrastructure, and biotechnology. They welcomed new trilateral cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to combat organized crime, including scam centers in Southeast Asia, and the launch of international disaster relief consultations.

This meeting was convened on the occasion of the 81st United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week. The three ministers’ meeting marks the third such gathering in three months, following the meeting held on July 7 in Türkiye on the sidelines of the NATO Summit and the one on July 22 during the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in the Philippines.

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