25 September 1998
TEXT: U.S., JAPAN, ROK JOINT STATEMENT ON NORTH KOREA ISSUES
(Sept. 24 talks confirm importance of Agreed Framework) (850) New York -- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright met in New York with her counterparts from the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan to discuss and coordinate policies regarding North Korea, according to the Joint Statement on North Korea Issues released by the State Department September 24. "The three Ministers confirmed the importance of maintaining the Agreed Framework signed between the United States and North Korea in October 1994 and the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) as the most realistic and effective mechanisms for preventing North Korea from advancing its nuclear program," the statement reads. The three also urged North Korea "to implement fully the Agreed Framework including the continued freeze of nuclear activities under IAEA monitoring and to remove any doubts about its nuclear program." The United States, the Republic of Korea, and Japan deplore North Korea's recent missile launch and agree that North Korea's missile development, if unchecked, would adversely affect the peace and security of Japan, the Republic of Korea and the entire Northeast Asia region. North Korea's missile activity also raises "serious concerns" about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, according to the joint statement. During their talks, Secretary Albright and her counterparts also reviewed North Korea's agreement to continue discussions to clarify the nature of suspect underground construction in North Korea, to complete the canning of the remaining spent fuel rods at Yongbyon, and to hold a third plenary meeting of the Four Party Talks and discussions on terrorism, the statement says. Following is the official text of the joint statement: (begin text) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release September 24, l998 Joint Statement on North Korea Issues by The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea and The Secretary of State of the United States of America Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Hong Soon-young, and Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright met in New York on September 24, 1998 to discuss and coordinate policies regarding North Korea. The three Ministers confirmed the importance of maintaining the Agreed Framework signed between the United States and North Korea in October 1994 and the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) as the most realistic and effective mechanisms for preventing North Korea from advancing its nuclear program. They urged North Korea to implement fully the Agreed Framework including the continued freeze of nuclear activities under IAEA monitoring and to remove any doubts about its nuclear program. Secretary Albright explained that the recent U.S.-North Korea talks resulted in mutual reconfirmation of U.S. and North Korean commitment to the Agreed Framework. Ministers Koumura and Hong reaffirmed their support for the Agreed Framework and all three Ministers reiterated their commitment to KEDO. The three Ministers agreed to continue to consult and coordinate fully and Secretary Albright stated that the U.S. would continue to fully respect the positions of the governments of Japan and the Republic of Korea in implementing the Agreed Framework, including the Light-Water Reactor project. The three Ministers deplored North Korea's recent missile launch. They agreed that North Korea's missile development, if unchecked, would adversely affect the peace and security of Japan, the Republic of Korea and the entire Northeast Asia region, and that it raised serious concerns about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. They shared the concern and regret expressed by the members of the United Nations Security Council over North Korea's launching of a missile without prior notification to the countries in the region, which was irresponsible and in disregard of international safety norms. They also reviewed the results of talks between the United States and North Korea held from August 21 to September 5, 1998 in New York. These results included resumption of U.S.-North Korea missile talks, an important forum at which to address the North Korean missile issue. Secretary Albright expressed the determination of the United States Government to seek through those talks the cessation of North Korean flight-testing, production, deployment, and export of missiles and related material and technology. Ministers Koumura and Hong expressed their support for these U.S. efforts and stressed the importance of North Korea's committing to tangible steps in the missile talks. The three Ministers also reviewed other, no less important steps that the United States and North Korea have agreed upon recently. They include North Korean agreement to continue serious discussions to clarify the nature of suspect underground construction in North Korea, to complete promptly the canning of the remaining spent fuel rods at Yongbyon, and to hold a third plenary meeting of the Four Party Talks and discussions on terrorism. The three Ministers agreed to consult closely in all aspects of these talks. They reaffirmed the importance of close consultation concerning policies toward North Korea. (end text)
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