Japan pledged to work closely with US and South Korea after Pyongyang military tests

Japan promised on Monday to work closely with UNITED STATES there South Koreaafter North Korea launched two short-range missiles into the Sea of ​​Japan on Monday morning and an intercontinental missile on Saturday.

“Japan continues to collect information and monitor the situation while the close collaboration with the United States and South Korea is deepeningsaid the Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishidain statements to the press on Monday.

The president also added that Monday’s launch “continues at the level of those that took place this weekend” and called an emergency meeting with his cabinet to continue to assess the situation.

Japanese government spokesman Hirokazu Matsunoalso stated that these versions “Violating UN Security Council resolutions”Therefore, Japan would have already issued its protest to the North through diplomatic channels.

“These continuous missile launches by the North since last year noticeably increase the tension of the peninsula and the region. These acts threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region and the international community, and we can never tolerate them,” Matsuno said.

North Korea on Monday, two days after firing an intercontinental missile, launched two short-range projectiles into the Sea of ​​Japan (called the East Sea in both Koreas) in apparent response to aerial maneuvers by Seoul and Washington previously, according to They detailed the regime media and the South Korean military.

These launches come a day after South Korea and the United States performed aerial maneuvers in which two Pentagon B-1 strategic bombers participated.

This Sunday, Japan and the United States have also conducted joint aerial exercises. “In the midst of an increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan,” they reported in a joint statement to “reaffirm the firm will of both countries to respond to any situation.”

“We want to show the preparedness of the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the US military and further strengthen the alliance’s deterrence and response capabilities,” reads the collected text.

The same two Pentagon B-1 strategic bombers took part in the exercises, an aircraft with which Washington seeks to send a strong message to Pyongyang, as well as several American and Japanese fighters.

seoul sanctions

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea announced sanctions on Monday “in record time” against four people and five entities allegedly related to North Korean regime’s missile program after missile launches Pyongyang.

The decision was made in response to long-range ballistic missile launch on February 18 and in the short term this Monday, February 20, which “represent a serious threat to the peace and stability of South Korea”, admits the press release.

It’s him fourth package of punitive measures against North Korea under the administration of the South Korean President, Yoon Seok Yeol. In total, the government has sanctioned 31 people and 35 institutions since October last year, the ministry said.

(With information from EFE and Europa Press)

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