WASHINGTON-
US President Joe Biden spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday to discuss his next steps after North Korea carried out its longest-ever test launch by firing a nuclear-capable ballistic missile at Japan.
The White House in a statement said leaders condemned North Korea’s missile test in the “strongest terms, recognizing the launch as a danger to the Japanese people, destabilizing the region, and a clear violation of Security Council resolutions.” United Nations Security”.
The White House said the leaders agreed to coordinate an immediate and longer-term response together, as well as with South Korea and the international community. They also promised to work to limit North Korea’s “ability to support its illegal ballistic missile and weapons of mass destruction programs.”
North Korea has tested some 40 missiles in some 20 different launch events this year as its leader Kim Jong Un refuses to return to nuclear diplomacy with the United States, but Tuesday’s test was the most provocative yet. moment.
Tuesday’s launch is the fifth round of weapons tests by North Korea in the past 10 days. The wave of tests is an apparent response to two sets of military exercises, one between Washington and Seoul and the other between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo, off the east coast of the Korean peninsula last week.
Earlier, Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with his counterparts Japan’s Secretary General Akiba Takeo and South Korea’s National Security Office Director Kim Sung-han to discuss the provocation. from North Korea.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to detail possible responses being considered, but stressed that administration officials were ready for talks with North Korea without preconditions. The administration has repeatedly appealed to the North through back channels, but Pyongyang has not responded.
“It is unfortunate that the DPRK has not responded to our reach,” he said.
Biden and Kishida also discussed the cases of Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea, according to the White House.
Biden administration officials have grown increasingly concerned about North Korea’s efforts to provoke the US and its Pacific allies.
Last month, the Biden administration declassified a US intelligence finding showing the belief that the Russians were seeking to buy North Korean military equipment for their fight in Ukraine.
North Korea has also sought closer ties with Russia as much of Europe and the West have moved away, blaming the United States for the Ukraine crisis and denouncing that the West’s “hegemonic policy” justifies Russia’s military action. in Ukraine for protection.
The North Koreans have hinted at interest in sending construction workers to help rebuild Russian-occupied territories in the east of the country.