Onodera, Mattis, Song agree to boost cooperation over N. Korea

October 24, 2017

CLARK, PHILIPPINES- Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and his US and South Korean counterparts, James Mattis and Song Young-moo, agreed Monday to work to strengthen international cooperation to increase pressure on North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs.

At their meeting on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations-related gathering in Clark, the Philippines, the three ministers also agreed to proactively support diplomatic efforts to have the reclusive country abandon the nuclear and missile development.

They shared the view that North Korea constitutes a grave threat to not just the three countries but the entire world.

Prior to the three-way meeting, Onodera and Mattis had bilateral talks and confirmed that their countries will maintain close cooperation while adding pressure on North Korea in a visible way.

Onodera stressed that Japan and the United States need to hold intensive talks to be ready for a coordinated response to any situation.

Mattis reiterated his country's strong commitment to the defense of Japan.

They also agreed to step up operational cooperation between the two countries' defense authorities.

Following a fire accident involving a US CH-53E military helicopter in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan, earlier this month, the US defense secretary vowed to work for safe flights.

Onodera also had bilateral talks with the South Korean minister. They agreed to advance their countries' defense cooperation, including by steadily conducting exchanges of defense personnel and reciprocal visits by vessels and aircraft. Jiji Press