Country |
Comment |
North Korea
|
Spokesman - Ministry of Foreign Affairs September 5, 20171 “The U.S. is running amuck to defame the DPRK, taking issue with our measures to bolster the self-defensive nuclear force, but this is only a sophistry to hide true colors of the U.S. as the main culprit for escalated tension and nuclear threat”. “The wild and belligerent remarks of "fire and fury" let loose by Trump and the frenzied moves of the U.S. to stifle the DPRK testify that the U.S. is indeed the heinous aggressor who is begging for war in defiance of the collective voice of the international community calling for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula”. “With the emergence of the Trump administration, the U.S. has become all the more reckless in its attempts to completely obliterate the sovereignty and the rights to existence and development of the DPRK, and we were left with no other choice than redoubling our efforts to strengthen the state nuclear force”. “The recent test of H-bomb for ICBM is part of our efforts to attain the final goal of completing the state nuclear force”.
Han Tae Song- Ambassador to the UN September 5, 20172 "The recent self-defense measures by my country, DPRK, are a gift package addressed to none other than the U.S”. "The U.S. will receive more gift packages from my country as long as it relies on reckless provocations and futile attempts to put pressure on the DPRK”. Rodong Sinmun September 5, 20173 “If the U.S. imperialists awkwardly provoke the DPRK, they would not be able to escape from the greatest disaster”. “Clearly look at the strategic position of the DPRK, nuclear power of Juche and worldwide military power, and the trend of the times. Do not forget even a moment that sharp ultra-modern strike means aim at the U.S. This is a severe warning of Songun Korea”.
KCNA August 3, 20174 “Scientists in the nuclear field of the DPRK successfully carried out a test of H-bomb for ICBM in the northern nuclear test ground of the DPRK at 12:00 on September 3, true to the Workers' Party of Korea's plan for building a strategic nuclear force”. “The H-bomb test was carried out to examine and confirm the accuracy and credibility of the power control technology and internal structural design newly introduced into manufacturing H-bomb to be placed at the payload of the ICBM”. "(The success) also marked a very significant occasion in attaining the final goal of completing the state nuclear force”.
Rodong Sinmun September 3, 20175 “Respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un guided the work for nuclear weaponization on the spot”. “The institute recently succeeded in making a more developed nuke, true to the strategic intention of the WPK for bringing about a signal turn in nuclear weaponization. He watched an H-bomb to be loaded into new ICBM”.
Rodong Sinmun September 1, 20176 "Our Republic's (the North) toughest-ever steps like the launches of the Hwasong-14 ICBM and Hwasong-12 IRBMs is a grave warning not only to the U.S. but to its blind follower Japan as they pose serious threats to our sovereignty and rights to life and development”.
Spokesman-Ministry of Foreign Affairs September 1, 20177 “The DPRK categorically rejects the "presidential statement" of UNSC that flagrantly violated the right to self-defense of a sovereign state”. “We had already warned the U.S. that we would be closely monitoring its conduct. The intermediate-and-long range strategic ballistic rocket launching drill carried out by the Strategic Force of the KPA this time is only a curtain raiser to the resolute countermeasures to be taken against the U.S. as it responded to our warning by waging belligerent Ulji Freedom Guardian joint military exercises”. “The revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK shall conduct many more of ballistic rocket launching drill targeting the Pacific to further modernize and increase the actual combat efficiency of its strategic force”. |
USA
|
Donald Trump- President September 5, 20178 "I am allowing Japan & South Korea to buy a substantially increased amount of highly sophisticated military equipment from the United States”. Sarah Sanders- Press Secretary, White HouseSeptember 5, 20179 "The priority of the administration is to have a denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and it's also to protect American citizens”. "In terms of negotiations, we're looking at putting aggressive measures, both diplomatically and economically”. “We've been clear about what our priorities are; that now is not the time for us to spend a lot of time focused on talking with North Korea, but putting all measures of pressure that we can. And we're going to continue through that process”.
Adm. Scott Swift- Chief of U.S. Pacific Fleet September 5, 201710
"We will continue to deploy carrier strike groups, expeditionary strike groups, AEGIS ships, the world's most capable submarine force and advanced aircraft like the F-35, P-8 and MH-60R to be prepared to respond decisively when called".
"Today, our platforms have longer reach, are more interconnected and possess greater lethality than what has ever been fielded before”.
“Let our potential adversaries take pause and note that the only naval force more powerful than the U.S. Pacific Fleet is the entirety of the United States Navy".
Nikki Hale- U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations September 4, 201711 “To the members of the Security Council, I must say, “enough is enough”. We have taken an incremental approach, and despite the best of intentions, it has not worked”. “The time for half measures in the Security Council is over. The time has come to exhaust all of our diplomatic means, before it’s too late. We must now adopt the strongest possible measures”. “The idea that some have suggested of a so-called freeze-for-freeze is insulting. When a rogue regime has a nuclear weapon and an ICBM pointed at you, you do not take steps to lower your guard. No one would do that. We certainly won’t”.
"Only the strongest sanctions will enable us to resolve this problem through diplomacy”.
“His abusive use of missiles, and his nuclear threats show that he is begging for war. War is never something the United States wants. We don’t want it now. But our country’s patience is not unlimited. We will defend our allies and our territory”.
Donald Trump- President August 3, 2017
“The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea”.12 “I will be meeting General Kelly, General Mattis and other military leaders at the White House to discuss North Korea. Thank you”.13 “South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!”14 “..North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success”.15 “North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States...”..16
Jim Mattis- Secretary of Defense September 3, 201717
“We have many military options, and the President wanted to be briefed on each one of them”.
“We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies – South Korea and Japan – from any attack. And our commitments among the allies are ironclad”.
“Any threat to the United States, or its territories – including Guam – or our allies will be met with a massive military response – a response both effective and overwhelming”.
Steve Mnuchin- U.S. Treasury Secretary September 3, 201718
“We've already started with sanctions against North Korea, but I’m going to draft a sanctions package to send to the president for his strong consideration, that anybody that wants to do trade or business with them would be prevented from doing trade or business with us. We are going to work with our allies. We’ll work with China. But people need to cut off North Korea economically. This is unacceptable behavior”.
|
South Korea
|
Statement- Defense Ministry September 6, 201719
"The two defense chiefs (ROK and the US) agreed to strengthen the regular deployment of U.S. strategic assets and joint military exercises on and around the Korean Peninsula, in order to bolster the combined defense posture and deter North Korean provocations”. Moon Jae-in – President September 5, 201720 "Our stance is firm - there should be no more wars on the Korean Peninsula. Nobody but Korea is in the position to decide if there may be war on the Korean Peninsula again”. "We have no intention of toppling the North Korean regime or achieving unification by means of a takeover. We seek to resolve the North Korean nuclear problem and to guarantee security to the North Korean regime. We wish to build a system of lasting peace in the Korean Peninsula”.
"Also, we wish to create an economic community in which the South and the North might prosper together. This would be useful for the development of Russia’s Far East, too”.
Kang Kyung-wha - Foreign Minister September 5, 201721 “Stopping the oil supply to the North is "one of the important elements" being discussed as part of additional sanctions”. "It still remains to be seen in what way the oil supply issue will be reflected in a new resolution”. Statement - Foreign Ministry September 5, 201722 "We are considering powerful punitive measures including the adoption of a new Security Council resolution”. "In coordination with other major countries, we will make efforts to get a new resolution that has stronger elements than the existing ones”. Cho Hyun - Vice Foreign Minister September 5, 201723 "I understand the need to stress that all options are on the table”. "But we should be careful that this does not translate into an escalation of war or cause miscalculation of North Korea”. "Given the calamity a war would bring about, we cannot accept a war as an option”. "This is not because we are weak or we are cowards, but indeed, because we have only too vivid memories of the Korean War”. "We really hope that someday, it will eventually create an environment favorable to a dialogue, the first dialogue, for denuclearization”. "It may sound unrealistic today but we cannot abandon it”.
Moon Jae-in – President September 5, 201724 "The situation is frustrating and difficult, but our government will consistently move forward its policy of realizing peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula with patience and a long-term perspective”.
Cho Myoung-gyon- Unification Minister September 5, 201725 "North Korea is likely to focus on handling its ties with the U.S. while taking a wait-and-see mode with inter-Korean relations”. "North Korea seemed intended to make the international community effectively view the North as a nuclear state and raise its external clout by showing off its nuclear strike and delivery capability". "Given grave security situations sparked by North Korea's provocations, the government will take a prudent approach in implementing specific measures by taking into account North Korea's attitude, international coordination and public sentiments". Nam Gwan-pyo - Vice chief of the presidential National Security Office September 4, 201726 "Because of North Korea's nuclear test, we expect a large part of the Korea-Russia summit to focus on the conditions created by the North's nuclear test, the exchange of the countries' related information and discussions on their countermeasures in the future”.
Statement- President’s Office
September 4, 201727 "Korea is a country that experienced a fratricidal war. The destruction of war should not be repeated in this land”. "We will not give up and will continue to push for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through peaceful means working together with our allies”.
Statement- Ministry of Foreign Affairs September 4, 201728 “The DPRK’s reckless and irresponsible nuclear test which was conducted despite the repeated warnings of the ROK Government and the international community will not be tolerated by any means”. Moon Jae in- President September 3, 201729 "I strongly condemn the latest provocation, which is a clear violation of UNSC resolutions and also a serious challenge to the peace and security of the world”. "I cannot help but feel disappointed and angry”.
"North Korea has committed an absurd strategic mistake that will further accelerate its isolation from the international community through its repeated provocations, such as launching intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and staging a nuclear test that not only heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula but also greatly undermined global peace”.
Park Soo-hyun- Spokesman, Office of the President September 2, 201730 "President Moon and President Trump reaffirmed their view that it was important to have North Korea come out to the dialogue table to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue by applying maximum sanctions and pressure on the North”. "The two leaders noted the need to strengthen the Republic of Korea's defense capabilities to counter provocations and threats from North Korea, and reached an agreement in principle to revise the 'missile guideline' to the extent hoped by the South Korean side”.
Statement- Ministry of Defense
September 1, 201731
"The officials agreed to work together with the international community in pressuring the North to end its nuclear and missile programs”. "The U.S. also reaffirmed its ironclad commitment to defending the Asian allies of South Korea and Japan”. |
China
|
Geng Shuang- Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
September 5, 201732
“The call for peaceful settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiation among the international community is the mainstream. We hope the relevant parties can take heed of the rational call from the international community and stay cool-minded rather than provoke each other and pour fuel on the fire”.
“I shall stress that in terms of resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, the use of military means is not a viable choice and sanctions alone will never be a way out”. Liu Jieyi- Ambassador Permanent Mission of China to the UN
September 4, 201733
"The peninsula issue must be resolved peacefully. China will never allow chaos and war on the peninsula”.
Geng Shuang- Foreign Ministry Spokesperson September 4, 201734 “China has always stayed committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, upholding peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and promoting the peaceful settlement of the relevant issue through dialogue and negotiation. As a permanent member of the Security Council, China will follow this position and participate in the relevant discussion with an responsible and constructive attitude”.
Wang Yi- Foreign Minister September 3, 201735 "Showing nonchalance to the international community's general opposition, North Korea again conducted a nuclear test ... China resolutely opposes this and strongly condemns it at the same time”. China wants North Korea to face up to the international community's determination toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the statement said, adding that "the denuclearization of the peninsula as well as non-proliferation and maintaining peace and security in Northeast Asia are China's firm stance”. |
Russia |
Vladimir Putin- President
September 5, 201736
"Russia condemns North Korea’s tests, we believe that them to be provocative". "North Korea will be the last to forget them". "The use of sanctions in this case is useless and inefficient”. “Sanctions have already approached the line and are completely inefficient”. "No matter how we pressured North Korea, the course of North Korea won’t change due to this, and the sufferings of millions of people may be increased by multiple times”. "In the current situation, increasing military hysteria is pointless, it will lead nowhere”.
Vladimir Putin- President
September 5, 201737
“Russia condemns North Korea’s exercises, we consider that they are a provocation ... (But) ramping up military hysteria will lead to nothing good. It could lead to a global catastrophe”. “There’s no other path apart from a peaceful one”. “It’s ridiculous to put us on the same (sanctions) list as North Korea and then ask for our help in imposing sanctions on North Korea”. “This is being done by people who mix up Australia with Austria”. Vassily Nebenzia- Ambassador Permanent Mission of Russia to the UN September 4, 201738
"An urgent need to maintain a cool head and refrain from any action that could further escalate tensions”.
Statement- Ministry of Foreign Affairs September 3, 201739 “We express our deep concern at test of a “thermonuclear explosive device for an intercontinental ballistic missile” announced by the DPRK on September 3”. “This yet another example of Pyongyang’s outright disregard of the demands of respective UN Security Council resolutions and international law deserves absolute condemnation”. "It is imperative to remain calm and refrain from any actions that lead to further escalation of tension”.
Vladimir Putin- President September 1, 201740 "Russia believes that the policy of putting pressure on Pyongyang to stop its nuclear missile program is misguided and futile. “ "The region's problems should only be settled through a direct dialogue of all the parties concerned without any preconditions. Provocations, pressure and militarist and insulting rhetoric are a dead-end road”.
|
Japan
|
Itsunori Onodera- Defense Minister September 6, 201741 The latest nuclear test of North Korea “is vastly greater than previous North Korean nuclear tests. We cannot rule out the possibility that this was a hydrogen bomb test”. "(North Korea) is evolving not just their ballistic missiles but also their nuclear technology”. Speaking to reporters on his telephone discussion with the US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis Minister Onodera said Sunday’s test “was far greater (in scale) than previous nuclear tests and presents a new, more grave and pressing threat to our country's security”. "Secretary Mattis expressed the same viewpoint”. He quoted Mattis as saying the United States will defend Japan, citing in particular the deterrence offered by the U.S. "nuclear umbrella”.
Shinzo Abe- Prime Minister September 5, 201742 "I hope the joint actions on the part of Japan and Russia and the entire world community, including a still tougher resolution of the UN Security Council, and utmost pressure on North Korea will bring about changes in its policies".
"For this purpose, I call on Russia to cooperate so that it would resolutely show initiative in the current situation”.
Taro Aso- Deputy Prime Minister September 5, 201743
"What we have to do now is to increase pressure (on Pyongyang) in various ways”.
Shinzo Abe- Prime Minister September 3, 201744 “North Korea’s nuclear and missile development has entered a new level of threat - more grave and imminent - against Japan’s national security and seriously undermines the peace and security of the region as well as the international community. Today’s nuclear test by North Korea is a clear and repeated violation of the relevant UNSC resolutions, and represents a grave challenge to the international disarmament and non-proliferation regime centered on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). It also violates the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration as well as the Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks. Japan lodges its serious protest against North Korea, and condemns North Korea resolutely in the strongest terms”. |
****
* 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 "FM Spokesman Denounces U.S. for Trying to Impose Additional Sanctions on DPRK", KCNA, September 5, 2017, https://kcna.kp/ Alternative Source: https://kcnawatch.co/newstream/1504632661-85282439/fm-spokesman-denounces-u-s-for-trying-to-impose-additional-sanctions-on-dprk/
2 “North Korea warns that 'more gift packages' on way to U.S”., Reuters, September 5, 2017 http://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-envoy/north-korea-warns-that-more-gift-packages-on-way-to-u-s-idUSKCN1BG1BT
3 “U.S. Should Be Mindful of DPRK's Warning “, Rodong Sinmun, September 5, 2017 http://rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?strPageID=SF01_02_01&newsID=2017-09-05-0010
4 "DPRK Nuclear Weapons Institute on Successful Test of H-bomb for ICBM", KCNA, September 3, 2017, https://kcnawatch.co/newstream/1504452691-4220098/dprk-nuclear-weapons-institute-on-successful-test-of-h-bomb-for-icbm/
5 "Kim Jong Un Gives Guidance to Nuclear Weaponization", Rodong Sinmun, September 3, 2017, http://rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?strPageID=SF01_02_01&newsID=2017-09-03-0001
6 "N. Korea condemns U.S.-Japan military cooperation", The Yonhap News, September 1, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/09/01/0200000000AEN20170901007500315.html
7 "FM Spokesman Rejects "Presidential Statement" of UNSC", Rodong Shinmun, September 1, 2017, http://rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?strPageID=SF01_02_01&newsID=2017-09-01-0003
8 Donald Trump, Twitter, September 5, 2017, https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/905047095488516098
9 "Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders", The White House, September 5, 2017, https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/09/05/press-briefing-press-secretary-sarah-sanders-952017-10
10 “U.S. to continue deployment of defense assets to Korea: Pacific Fleet chief”, The Yonhap news, September 5, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/05/0401000000AEN20170905003500315.html
11 “Remarks at an Emergency UN Security Council Briefing on North Korea”, U.S. Mission to the United Nations, September 4, 2017, https://usun.state.gov/remarks/7953
12 Donald Trump, Twitter, September 3, 2017, https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/904377075049656322
13 Donald Trump, Twitter, September 3, 2017, https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/904375314830249984
14 Donald Trump, Twitter, September 3, 2017, https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/904309527381716992
15 Donald Trump, Twitter, September 3, 2017, https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/904307898213433344
16 Donald Trump, Twitter, September 3, 2017, https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/904305644651634688
17 "Secretary Mattis Statement at the White House", U. S Department of Defense, September 3, 2017, https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1298860/secretary-mattis-statement-at-the-white-house/
18 "Sec. Mnuchin talks cutting off North Korea economically", Fox News, September 3, 2017, http://www.foxnews.com/transcript/2017/09/03/sec-mnuchin-talks-cutting-off-north-korea-economically.html
19 "Seoul, Washington defense chiefs agree to strengthen deployment of U.S. strategic assets", The Yonhap news, September 6, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/06/0401000000AEN20170906000200315.html
20 “South Korean president: No more wars on Korean peninsula”, TASS, September 5, 2017, http://tass.com/world/963832
21 "S. Korea seeks 'powerful' punitive measures over N.K. nuke test", The Yonhap News, September 5, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/05/0401000000AEN20170905007052315.html
22 "S. Korea seeks 'powerful' punitive measures over N.K. nuke test", The Yonhap News, September 5, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/05/0401000000AEN20170905007052315.html
23 "S. Korean vice FM rules out war on Korean Peninsula", The Yonhap News, September 6, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/06/0401000000AEN20170906001800315.html
25 “N.K. to weigh further provocations while watching new U.N. sanctions: Seoul”, The Yonhap News, September 5, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/05/97/0401000000AEN20170905006900315F.html
26 “Moon, Putin to focus on N. Korean nukes in upcoming summit: official”, The Yonhap News, September 4, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/09/04/0200000000AEN20170904014051315.html
27 "Seoul emphasizes peninsula peace in response to Trump's 'appeasement' rebuke", The Yonhap News, September 4, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/04/0401000000AEN20170904000351315.html
28 "Statement by the Government of the Republic of Korea on the DPRK’s Sixth Nuclear Test on September 3", Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROK, September 4, 2017, http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/press/pressreleases/index.jsp?menu=m_10_20&sp=/webmodule/htsboard/template/read/engreadboard.jsp%3FtypeID=12%26boardid=302%26seqno=319026%26tableName=TYPE_ENGLISH
29 "Seoul says will seek most powerful U.N. sanctions to 'completely' isolate N. Korea", The Yonhap News Agency, September 3, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/03/0401000000AEN20170903003753315.html
30 "Moon, Trump agree to build up missile deterrence, bring N. Korea back to dialogue", The Yonhap News, September 2, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/02/0401000000AEN20170902000553315.html
31 "S. Korea, U.S., Japan vow to step up cooperation against N.K. missile threats", The Yonhap News, September 1, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/01/93/0401000000AEN20170901006100315F.html
33 “U.S. calls for 'strongest possible' sanctions against N.K”., The Yonhap News, September 4, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/04/0401000000AEN20170904016952315.html
34 Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PRC, September 4, 2017, http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/t1489891.shtml
35 "China, Japan condemn N. Korea's nuclear test", The Yonhap New, September 3, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/03/0401000000AEN20170903004600315.html
36 "Putin says sanctions on North Korea unlikely to work", TASS, September 5, 2017, http://tass.com/politics/963702
37 "Putin calls tougher North Korea sanctions senseless, warns of 'global catastrophe'", Reuters, September 5, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-putin-sanctions/putin-calls-tougher-north-korea-sanctions-senseless-warns-of-global-catastrophe-idUSKCN1BG0OG
38 “U.S. calls for 'strongest possible' sanctions against N.K”., The Yonhap News, September 4, 2017, http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2017/09/04/0401000000AEN20170904016952315.html
39 "Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation", Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russian Federation, September 3, 2017, http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/2851809
40 "North Korean problem should be solved through dialogue, not pressure — Putin", TASS, September 1, 2017, http://tass.com/world/963095
41 "N. Korea nuke yield estimate upgraded to 160 kilotons: Japan", The Kyodo News, September 6, 2017, https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2017/09/da4d26f57bfb-update2-japan-us-defense-chiefs-agree-to-add-pressure-on-n-korea.html
42 "Japanese PM urges Russia to collaborate in untangling situation around DPRK", TASS, September 5, 2017, http://tass.com/world/963903
43 "Japan seeks stricter UN sanctions on N. Korea over nuclear test", The Mainichi, September 5, 2017, https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20170905/p2g/00m/0dm/079000c
44 "Statement by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (on the Nuclear Test by North Korea)", Office of the Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet, September 3, 2017, http://japan.kantei.go.jp/97_abe/statement/201709/1224276_11585.html