US tries to ease worries over N. Korea

Mattis: Military exercises with Japan still on amid nuke talks

TOKYO:

For the second time in two days, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis is trying to assuage an Asian ally’s worries about America’s commitment to the region amid the ongoing denuclearisation negotiations with North Korea.

Mattis met yesterday with Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera, and afterward told reporters that his visit represents “just how strongly we prioritise this relationship between our two militaries”.

Mattis added that even as the US is in “unprecedented negotiations” with North Korea, “in this dynamic time, the long-standing alliance between Japan and the United States stands firm.

“There is absolute reassurance between the two of us that we stand firm” and the relationship will not be affected by the denuclearisation talks.

Onodera earlier this month urged the international community to keep sanctions and surveillance on North Korea, saying it has a history of reneging on agreements.

Speaking at an international security conference in Singapore, Onodera said North Korea agreed to give up nuclear weapons as early as 1994, but has continued to develop them in secret and until last year threatened surrounding countries with a series of ballistic missile launches.

Yesterday, he said the US and Japan must work together toward the dismantlement of “all of North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction, including biological and chemical weapons and ballistic missiles of all ranges”.

Mattis said the two discussed “the opportunities to increase our alliance capabilities, to deepen our cooperation and to enhance regional security.

Noting the small, blue ribbon-shaped lapel pin the minister was wearing, Mattis offered support for efforts to secure the release of 12 Japanese citizens who were abducted by the North Koreans four decades ago.

The pin commemorates their abductions, and Japan has argued for their release to be part of the ongoing negotiations with Pyongyang.

Mattis said such humanitarian issues are always present in the deliberations.

On Thursday, Mattis met with South Korean Defence Minister Song Young-moo, assuring him the US will maintain its current number of troops on the Korean Peninsula. — AP