1. The Government of the Republic of Korea strongly condemns North Korea’s additional provocation on July 9 of a test-launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions and repeated demands of the international community not to do so.

2. The Government of the Republic of Korea will by no means tolerate repeated intentional provocations by North Korea, including its launch of Musudan missiles (intermediate-range ballistic missiles) on June 22, and continue to toughen sanctions and to intensify pressure on North Korea, including by thoroughly implementing Security Council resolutions, in close cooperation with major countries.

3. As can be seen from the decision on July 8 to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) to US Forces Korea, the Government of the Republic of Korea, based on the ROK-US combined defense capability, will continuously strengthen its deterrence against North Korea in response to nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.


* unofficial translation