South Korea, US, Japan agree on closer cooperation against North Korea's missile launches

Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong holds a phone conversation with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, May 19. South Korea, the United States and Japan condemned North Korea's latest ballistic missile launches in high-level consultations Thursday and agreed to step up trilateral cooperation in dealing with the matter. Yonhap

South Korea, the United States and Japan condemned North Korea's latest ballistic missile launches in high-level consultations Thursday and agreed to step up trilateral cooperation in dealing with the matter, the foreign ministry said.

First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong and his American and Japanese counterparts, Wendy Sherman and Takeo Mori, held the phone talks a day after the North launched three missiles, including an apparent intercontinental ballistic missile, shortly after President Joe Biden wrapped up his alliance-boosting trip to Seoul and Tokyo.

They noted the North's provocation, its 17th show of force this year, was a clear violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions and agreed to bolster cooperation among on follow-up measures, according to the ministry.

They expressed concerns about the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 in North Korea, while Cho and Sherman reiterated their governments were ready to support international efforts to support Pyongyang in its antivirus fight, it added.

Sherman reaffirmed Washington's "ironclad commitment" to ensure the security of its Asian allies, while leaving the door open to engage Pyongyang in "sustained and sincere dialogue," the State Department said in a separate statement. (Yonhap)