Security of Japan and East Asia

Regarding the sinking of the ROK Naval patrol vessel "Cheonan," I express my heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the 46 victims of the incident, the members of their bereaved families, and the people of the Republic of Korea (ROK). On May 20, as a result of the joint investigation with experts from the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, and Australia, the ROK government announced that it had concluded that the incident had been caused by a torpedo fired by North Korea.

On May 24, President Lee Myung-bak of the ROK gave an extremely
passionate and powerful speech toward the people of the ROK saying,
"I will continue to take stern measures to hold the North
accountable," and announced the ROK's intent to refer this matter
to the United Nations (UN) Security Council, among other measures.

I immediately spoke with President Lee by telephone, expressing my
respect for the resolute and calm manner in which the ROK
government has responded to the incident. I also reaffirmed Japan's
position to strongly support the ROK.

In the afternoon of May 24, I convened a Security Council meeting.
North Korea's action cannot be condoned by any means, and Japan
strongly condemns it together with the international community. As
a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Japan firmly
supports the ROK, and will strengthen coordination with the
international community, especially with the ROK and the United
States, both bilaterally and trilaterally, including response by
the UN Security Council. We will urgently consider anew our own
measures against North Korea and make the utmost effort for the
early enactment of the bill to establish a special measures law for
cargo inspections. Moreover, given this unpredictable situation, we
will enhance intelligence gathering and take all possible measures
to secure the safety and sense of security of the people of Japan.

This weekend, on Jeju Island in the ROK, a Japan-China-ROK
Trilateral Summit Meeting will be held. I would like to strongly
emphasize the need for Japan, China, and the ROK to coordinate and
cooperate even more closely for the peace and stability of East
Asia.

The government will make concerted efforts to further consolidate
the security of Japan and East Asia.