President orders response measures after Pyongyang missile-launch

ROC Central News Agency

2017/09/15 14:30:32

Taipei, Sept. 15 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) issued directives Friday to maintain the livelihoods of Taiwan's people, as well as to keep the stock and exchange markets stable, after North Korea fired a ballistic missile over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.

The missile was the second to fly over Japan in less than a month, and the first since Pyongyang's sixth nuclear test on Sept. 3, which it claimed to be successful. It drew Japan's condemnation, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calling the missile test "totally unacceptable," according to CNN.

In Taipei, the Presidential Office said the government strongly condemns Pyongyang for repeatedly using the threat of arms to disrupt regional security and stability.

It said that the National Security Council informed Tsai of the missile test immediately, before calling a meeting at 8:30 a.m. to discuss response measures.

National Security Council Secretary-General Yen Teh-fa (嚴德發) hosted the meeting, which was attended by heads of the ministries of foreign affairs, national defense and mainland affairs, as well as the National Security Bureau.

After the meeting, the council delivered a report to Tsai, who then ordered all government units and departments to closely monitor the situation and maintain close contact with the countries concerned and exchange the latest updates with each other, the Presidential Office said.

Tsai also said that efforts must be made to secure the stability of the people's livelihoods, as well as the stock and exchange markets, and that "all kinds of response measures must be able to be implemented as soon as they are required."

At the same time, Tsai went on, the government will spare no efforts to follow the United Nations Security Council's Resolution 2375 of Sept. 11 (eastern U.S. time) to carry out sanctions against North Korea and join in efforts to maintain regional stability and order.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing the government's grave concern and strong condemnation, and urging North Korea to follow the UN Security Council's resolutions to "jointly maintain the regional peace, stability and prosperity on the Korean peninsula and in East Asia."

The content of UN Security Council Resolution 2375 includes capping North Korea's oil imports, banning textile exports, ending additional overseas labor contracts, suppressing smuggling, stopping joint ventures with other nations and sanctioning designated North Korean government entities.

(By Sophia Yeh, Elaine Hou and Elizabeth Hsu)
Enditem/J