Country |
Comment |
North Korea |
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USA |
Donald Trump- President September 7, 20171 “Military action would certainly be an option. Is it inevitable? Nothing is inevitable. It would be great if something else could be worked out.” “Hopefully we're not going to have to use it (military) on North Korea. If we do use it on North Korea, it will be a very sad day for North Korea.” “I would prefer not going the route of the military” “Unlike past administrations, I don't talk about them. But I can tell you that North Korea is behaving badly, and it’s got to stop.” Donald Trump- President September 6, 2017 “We had a very good conversation with President Xi of China. It lasted for about 45 minutes. He’s very much in favor of the denuke of North Korea, and we’re talking about different things. We have some things -- we’re going to be talking again soon, and we’ll see how that works out.” 2 “But we will not be putting up with what’s happening in North Korea.”3 Asked whether he was considering a military response to North Korea, Trump said: “Certainly, that’s not our first choice, but we will see what happens.”4 Statement-White House September 6, 2017 “President Trump reiterated that now is not the time to talk to North Korea, and made clear that all options remain open to defend the United States and its allies against North Korean aggression.” 5 “President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to defending the homeland, territories, and allies of the United States, using all available diplomatic and military capabilities.”6 Dana White- Pentagon chief spokesperson September 6, 2017 “Secretary Mattis assured Minister Song that the United States remains ironclad in its commitment to the defense of the ROK. He further emphasized that any threat to the United States, its territories, or its allies will be met with a massive, effective, and overwhelming military response.”7 “Secretary Mattis and Minister Onodera both condemned the test as a destabilizing provocation that threatens both regional and global security. Secretary Mattis underscored that the United States' commitment to defend Japan, including the U.S. extended deterrence commitment, remains ironclad.”8 |
South Korea |
Spokesman- Office of the President September 7, 20179 “The two leaders (Moon and Abe) shared the same view that now is the time to further strengthen sanctions and pressure on North Korea to the maximum level.” Statement- Foreign Ministry September 7, 201710 "The two ministers agreed that now is the time for the international community to intensify sanctions and pressure in response to the North's provocations including the sixth nuclear test," the ministry said in a press release.” "Recognizing that the ultimate goal of such sanctions and pressure is to lead the North to the negotiating table to discuss its denuclearization, the two also shared the view that the North's nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully through talks.” “Secretary Mattis and Minister Onodera confirmed their intent to continue working trilaterally with the Republic of Korea to strengthen deterrence and to maintain the peace and security of Northeast Asia.” Moon Jae-in- President September 6, 201711 "We (South Korea and Russia) also shared the view that nuclear arms and missiles sought by the North are leading down the wrong path, and that it was urgently needed to ease tensions." "I will not avoid any type of dialogue if it can help resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. But I believe the current conditions require us to strongly condemn North Korea's dangerous provocations and pressure the North, and that right now is not the time for dialogue." Yoon Young-cha – Press Secretary of President September 6, 201712 "President Moon said they must intensify the severity of UNSC sanctions at least to place North Korea on the track to dialogue." "The president asked Russia to help, noting it was imperative to at least cut off oil supplies to North Korea this time." |
China |
Xi Jinping- President September 7, 201713 According Xinhua news, “during a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Xi said facts have repeatedly proven that an ultimate settlement of the nuclear issue could only be found through peaceful means, including dialogue and consultation. Xi stressed that China remains persistent on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, adamant in preserving the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and resolute in safeguarding peace and stability in Northeast Asia.” September 7, 201714 According Xinhua news, “during the phone conversation, Xi and Trump exchanged their views on the current situation on the peninsula. Xi said China has been adamant in preserving international nuclear non-proliferation regime, maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula, and resolving the nuclear issue through talks. The Chinese president said the general direction should head toward a peaceful settlement of the issue, adding that dialogue combined with a set of comprehensive measures is best for seeking a long-term solution.” Geng Shuang - Foreign Ministry Spokesperson September 7, 201715 “Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that the Chinese side agrees with the UN Security Council on further reaction and necessary measure. As we stressed on multiple occasions, in response to the 6th nuclear test by the DPRK, how the UN Security Council will react and what measure it may take depend on the results of the discussion by its members. This cannot be decided by China or any particular member of the Security Council alone.”
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Russia |
Vladimir Putin- President September 7, 201716 "There are only political and diplomatic means to resolve the nuclear problem on the Korean Peninsula." "We need to continue dialogue." Vladimir Putin – President September 6, 201717 “Russia does not recognise North Korea’s nuclear status. Pyongyang’s missile and nuclear programme is a flagrant violation of the UN Security Council resolution, it undermines the non-proliferation regime and poses a threat to security in Northeast Asia.” “At the same time, it is obvious that the Korean problems cannot be settled with sanctions and pressure alone. We must not yield to emotions or try to drive North Korea into a corner. Now is the time for all of us to summon the presence of mind and to avoid taking steps that could escalate tensions.” “I am concerned cutting off oil supplies to North Korea may cause damage to people in hospitals or other ordinary citizens.”18 |
Japan |
Taro Kono- Foreign Minister September 8, 201719 "In the Middle East, there are countries that have close relations with North Korea and have accepted workers from the North". “Japan will urge (those Middle Eastern nations) to deal with this situation". Shinzo Abe- Prime Minister September 7, 201720 “We (Japan and Russia) had deep exchanges over the imminent threat posed by North Korea. We agreed that the nuclear test is a threat to the Korean Peninsula and the region and is a challenge to a nonproliferation regime". "We will cooperate closely." September 7, 201721 “There is a need to take steps toward applying pressure of a different dimension. Security and defense cooperation between Japan, the United States and South Korea are important to enhance deterrence and response capabilities.” Shinzo Abe- Prime Minister September 6, 201722 "Repeated provocative actions by North Korea pose an unprecedented, grave and major threat." "I hope to continue close coordination between Japan and South Korea and among Japan, South Korea and the United States." |
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* The Author , Research Fellow, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi.
Disclaimer: The views expressed are that of the Researcher and not of the Council.
EndNotes:
1 "Remarks by President Trump and Emir Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah of Kuwait in Joint Press Conference", The White House, September 7, 2017, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/09/07/remarks-president-trump-and-emir-sabah-al-ahmed-al-jaber-al-sabah-kuwait
2 “Press Gaggle by President Trump en route Bismarck, North Dakota”, The White House, September 6, 2017, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/09/06/press-gaggle-president-trump-en-route-bismarck-north-dakota-962017
3 "Trump says U.S. not 'putting up with' North Korea's actions", Reuters, September 6, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-nuclear/trump-says-u-s-not-putting-up-with-north-koreas-actions-idUSKCN1BD0VW
4 "Trump says U.S. not 'putting up with' North Korea's actions", Reuters, September 6, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-nuclear/trump-says-u-s-not-putting-up-with-north-koreas-actions-idUSKCN1BD0VW
5 "Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Telephone Call with Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom", The White House, September 6, 2017, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/09/06/readout-president-donald-j-trumps-telephone-call-prime-minister-theresa
6 "Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull of Australia", The White House, September 6, 2017, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/09/06/readout-president-donald-j-trumps-call-prime-minister-malcolm-turnbull
7 “Readout of Secretary Mattis' Call with Republic of Korea Minister of Defense Song Young-moo”, U.S Department of Defesne, September 6, 2017, https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1300110/readout-of-secretary-mattis-call-with-republic-of-korea-minister-of-defense-son/
8 "Readout of Secretary Mattis' Call with Japan Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera", The U.S Department of Defense, September 6, 2017, https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1300356/readout-of-secretary-mattis-call-with-japan-minister-of-defense-itsunori-onodera/
9 "Abe, Moon agree to push for stronger pressure on North Korea through new sanctions", Japan Times, September 7, 2017, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/09/07/national/politics-diplomacy/abe-moon-agree-push-stronger-pressure-north-korea-new-sanctions/#.WbIrTcig-M9
10 “Top diplomats of S. Korea, Japan call for beefed-up pressure against N.K.”, The Yonhap news, September 7, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/07/0401000000AEN20170907003500315.html
11 "Moon, Putin agree on need to denuclearize N. Korea, but differ on methods", The Yonhap News, September 6, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/06/0401000000AEN20170906014100315.html
12 "Moon, Putin agree on need to denuclearize N. Korea, but differ on methods", The Yonhap News, September 6, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/06/0401000000AEN20170906014100315.html
13 "Concerted effort by int'l community needed to solve Korean Peninsula nuclear issue -- Xi", Xinhua, September 7, 2017, http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-09/07/c_136592440.htm
14 "China remains persistent in denuclearizing Korean Peninsula: Xi", Xinhua, September 7, 2017, http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-09/07/c_136589738.htm
15 “Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference”, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PRC, September 7, 2017, http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/t1490884.shtml
16 "Abe, Putin slam N. Korea nuke test, differ on denuclearization path", Kyodo News, September 7, 2017, https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2017/09/21d598ba6134-update3-abe-putin-to-discuss-n-korea-tensions-isles-row.html
17 "Press statements following talks with President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in", Kremlin, September 6, 2017, http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/55541
18 "Putin reluctant to cut oil supply to N. Korea", The Yonhap News, September 6, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/06/0401000000AEN20170906013500315.html
19 "Foreign minister to visit Mideast to drum up pressure on N. Korea", Kyodo News, September 8, 2017, https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2017/09/430bdec4483d-foreign-minister-to-visit-mideast-to-drum-up-pressure-on-n-korea.html
20 "Abe, Putin slam N. Korea nuke test, differ on denuclearization path", Kyodo News, September 7, 2017, https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2017/09/21d598ba6134-update3-abe-putin-to-discuss-n-korea-tensions-isles-row.html
21 "Abe, Moon agree to push for stronger pressure on North Korea through new sanctions", Japan Times, September 7, 2017, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/09/07/national/politics-diplomacy/abe-moon-agree-push-stronger-pressure-north-korea-new-sanctions/#.WbIrTcig-M9
22 Abe, Moon agree on stronger pressure on N. Korea through sanctions", The Kyodo News, September 7, 2017, https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2017/09/dd5340437f2e-update2-abe-moon-agree-on-stronger-pressure-on-n-korea-through-sanctions.html