Japan, Mekong Countries to Urge N. Korea to Scrap Weapons of Mass Destruction

October 3, 2018

Bangkok- Japan and five Mekong River basin countries are expected to urge North Korea next week to take steps to dismantle all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, informed sources said Tuesday.

The demand is slated to be included in a joint statement that leaders from Japan and the Mekong countries plan to adopt when they meet in Tokyo Monday and Tuesday, according to a draft of the statement.

The draft underlines the importance of efforts for addressing humanitarian concerns of the international community, seeking an immediate solution to North Korea's abductions of foreign nationals.

The draft also expresses deep concerns over the situation in the South China Sea, where China is increasing its maritime presence.

While not mentioning China by name, the draft says Japan and the five Mekong countries--Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam--strongly oppose reclamation and militarization in the sea, reaffirming the importance of freedom of navigation. Jiji Press