UNITED STANCE AGAINST NORTH KOREA

The US, Japan and South Korea are “more aligned than ever” on North Korea’s “provocative behaviour,” US President Joe Biden said yesterday, as his national security adviser promised a joint response if Pyongyang carries out a seventh nuclear test.

Speaking in Cambodia after a trilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Biden called their countries “critical allies” that share the US’ concerns about North Korea’s missile tests.

Sullivan told reporters aboard Air Force One that the three leaders planned a coordinated response if North Korea carries out a seventh nuclear test, but declined to provide details. “You can expect a trilateral response, well-coordinated among the three countries,” Sullivan said, adding that it could include security, economic and diplomatic components.