Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

“Maintain a strong posture of military readiness and prepare ways to raise the spirits of soldiers”

Isolation of North Korea deepens as the international community's sanctions become more severe

Warning North Korea against unpredicted provocation to solidify its regime

President Park Geun-hye ordered our army to firmly punish North Korean provocations, which are worsening day by day due to the UN sanctions.

On April 18, at the chief secretary meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae, President Park said “No one knows what unpredicted provocations North Korea will attempt to avoid isolation from international communities and solidify its regime. Our army should maintain a strong posture of military readiness so that we can firmly punish North Korea no matter when, where and how they provoke us.”

She also said, “As each country and organization around the world including the UN , the US, Japan, the EU and others becomes more severe about imposing sanctions against North Korea,  the consequence recently resulted in the form of various effects like the mass defection of North Korean restaurant employees. As we expected, North Korea has been increasing its provocation and danger level through a wide range of means such as various experiments to enhance their nuclear and missile ability, video-released threats to strike Cheong Wa Dae, GPS signal interference, etc. We have also learned that North Korea is preparing for its 5th nuclear test.” And she asked Korean forces to be fully ready for a firm punishment on North Korean provocations.

She asked for plans to boost a morale of soldiers as well. President Park said, “I know all the units are making a range of efforts to build soldiers’ morale. Please pay more attention and care for these soldiers who are working hard day and night for the security of the nation. The government also should unite together, the ruling party and the opposition party, conservatives and progressives, when it comes to security and the North-South problem.”

Korea-U.S.-Japan to hold three-party vice-ministerial consultative meeting

Warning North Korea against additional provocations…scheduled to discuss preparations

Meanwhile, Korea, the US and Japan will have three-party vice-ministerial consultative meeting at the Foreign Office building on April 19 to discuss sanctions against North Korea and special preparations against anticipated further provocations. After the meeting held in Tokyo last January, three months passed until this 3rd meeting is held andit will be attended by Korea's 1st Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lim Sung-nam, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken, and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki to check the UN Security Council resolution as well as the performance of the three countries’ independent sanctions. It is expected that the meeting participants will not only send a strong warning message to warn North Korea against further provocations, but also will discuss further measures the countries can take to strengthen preparedness."

Prior to this, the UN Security Council confirmed that North Korea’s Musudan ballistic missile firing, which failed on April 15, was a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions, and increased the level of pressure on North Korea by releasing a press statement strongly denouncing this violation.

In its statement, the UN Security Council , criticized that regardless of the success or failure of the test firing, North Korea had violated United Nations Security Council resolutions by using ballistic missile techniques. They also warned that a firm response will be made if there are further provocations such as nuclear experiment, missile firing, etc.

By Yeong-Sun, Lee < ys119@dema.mil.kr >
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