Home > News > Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary > March 2014 > Monday, March 31, 2014 (PM)
Monday, March 31, 2014 (PM)
Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)
[Provisional Translation]
Q&As
- The issue of the security on the Korean Peninsula
- The consultations between Japan and North Korea
REPORTER: I have a question in relation to developments on the Korean Peninsula. It seems that an artillery round fired during North Korean military exercises crossed the country’s border and landed in the territory of the Republic of Korea (ROK). I understand that in response, the ROK returned fire. Could you share with us the facts and your thoughts on this incident on the Korean Peninsula?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: I am aware that the incident occurred. Following the incident, the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management, the Secretary General of the National Security Secretariat, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense and other relevant ministries and agencies are gathering information while working closely together. The Japanese Government will continue to maintain communication with the countries concerned, make every effort to gather and analyze the information, and address the situation appropriately. Furthermore, the Government will adopt a variety of measures with a sense of urgency, including patrols and surveillance, in order to be as prepared as possible.
REPORTER: The US and the ROK are actually conducting their largest joint military drills right now and some believe that North Korea's actions were an act of intimidation aimed at the US and the ROK. What is the Japanese Government's view of this?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The relevant ministries and agencies are working together and making every effort to gather information while also cooperating with the other nations concerned, particularly the US and the ROK. Furthermore, in the interest of ensuring public safety and peace of mind, we will continue to provide accurate information on the situation.
REPORTER: Japan and North Korea are currently holding consultations and I believe that talks are in progress as we speak. At this point in time, could you share with us any reports, impressions, or any other information you may have?
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As you just said, the negotiations are presently in progress. Therefore, I am sure that I will be briefed on the consultations once they have been concluded and the delegates have returned to Japan.
(Abridged)
