The United States, Japan and South Korea warned Pyongyang on Wednesday that if it went ahead with a nuclear test, such action would lead to an “unprecedented strong response.”
After talks in Tokyo, diplomatic officials from the three countries made clear their commitment to strengthening deterrence efforts in the region.
“We have agreed to further enhance cooperation… so that North Korea will immediately end its illegal activities and resume denuclearization talks,” said Cho Hyun-dong, South Korean Vice Foreign Minister.
“The three countries agreed on the need for an unprecedentedly strong response if North Korea conducts its seventh nuclear test,” he said.
Seoul and Washington have repeatedly warned that Pyongyang may be on the verge of another nuclear test, for the first time since 2017, after a series of ballistic missile launches in recent weeks.
A missile flew over Japan last month and North Korea said it had conducted tactical nuclear exercises.
“All of these actions are dangerous and destabilizing,” said US Assistant Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, urging North Korea to “refrain from further provocations.”
“North Korea’s escalation of its nuclear and missile activities… poses a clear and serious challenge to the international community,” Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Mori said.
He added that the three countries agreed to “strengthen deterrence in our region with the aim of denuclearizing North Korea.”
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