Shangri-La Dialogue: Seoul to ‘dramatically’ enhance defence, work with Japan to deter North Korea, defence minister says
- Lee Jong-sup’s comments indicated that previously fraught Tokyo-Seoul ties may be thawing under the new administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol
- In his prepared speech, Lee underscored Seoul’s belief that Pyongyang is preparing to conduct a seventh nuclear test. The US has also made a similar assessment
“It really depends on where the target is and how to do it,” Lee said in a plenary session at the summit. “The target is threats by North Korea – nuclear threats and missile threats – and this is where we are going to develop our security cooperation,” he said.
Lee, who was responding to a question from the audience, said the “high-level cooperation” with Tokyo would take the form of missile warning exercises amid the increased – and unprecedented – frequency of North Korean ballistic missile launches.
North Korea has conducted 16 rounds of ballistic missile tests since the beginning of this year, with the latest one last Sunday when it fired eight missiles.
“Our government will strengthen capabilities to better implement the US extended deterrents and will dramatically enhance response capabilities,” Lee said.