hankyoreh

South Korean First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lim Sung-nam (center)

South Korea, the US, and Japan sent a stern message warning of “serious additional measures” against North Korea if it carries out a fifth nuclear test or ballistic missile launch.

While the message, which came during a third round of trilateral deputy foreign minister meetings on Apr. 19, was one of coordination on the North Korea issue, the three sides differed in subtle ways on the particulars.　

While speaking at a joint press conference after the meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul, South Korean First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lim Sung-nam stressed the terms set by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

“In its Resolution 2270 and statements to the press, the UNSC made it clear that it would be adopting serious additional measures if North Korea engages in further provocations such as nuclear tests,” Lim said.

US Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Japan Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Akitaka Saiki also announced plans for additional sanctions if Pyongyang goes ahead with a fifth test. But while South Korea stressed the idea of additional sanctions, both the US and Japan focused on thorough and continued enforcement of UNSCR 2270.

In particular, Blinken emphasized the procedure followed on the Iranian nuclear issue - with a nuclear freeze followed by an agreement, the beginning of dismantlement of Iran‘s nuclear program, and on-site expert inspections and confirmation - and said the US was prepared to get involved if North Korea accepts the international community’s demands.

“It’s our hope that the DPRK will be inspired by that example,” Blinken said of the Iran case, using North Korea’s formal name. The remarks drew attention as hinting at the possibility of negotiation, depending on what choice Pyongyang makes.　

On the agenda of the meeting, Lim said only that the three parties had “discussed ideas about subsequent enforcement on the North Korean nuclear issue and general North Korea issues discussed in depth at the trilateral summit [held during the Nuclear Security Summit on Mar. 31].”

In contrast, Saiki affirmed that the three sides had “agreed to strengthen coordination in all areas, including security and defense cooperation.”

Blinken also said they would be presenting a broader and more in-depth and realistic plan for cooperation in the following months.

In contrast with Lim‘s somewhat vague statements, the US and Japanese vice ministers suggested that working-level discussions have already begun on stronger trilateral security cooperation - a fact that may become a source of controversy as things move forward.　

South Korea also differed from the US and Japan in the intensity of its response to issues in the South China Sea, where the latter two are currently having frictions with China. While the US and Japan called for joint steps against China to protect “freedom of navigation and flight,” South Korea expressed a more neutral position, stating that the three sides had “traded opinions on the importance of freedom of navigation and flight and the peaceful resolution of conflict.”

Lim and Saiki held their own vice ministerial talks the same day, where they “agreed to continue hastening efforts to enforce their Dec. 28 agreement [on the comfort women issue] by establishing a foundation to support survivors,” the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

Blinken met on Apr. 20 with Cho Tae-yong, first deputy director of National Security at the Blue House.

By Lee Je-hun, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]