S. Korea, U.S., Japan call for end to 'destabilizing' actions around Taiwan in veiled warning to China

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, April 4 (Yonhap) -- The top diplomats of South Korea, the United States and Japan called for an end to actions that "destabilize" security around the Taiwan Strait, in what appears to be a veiled warning to China amid increasing military exercises in the area.

The three countries made the call in a joint statement released following the trilateral meeting among Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, in Brussels on Thursday (local time).

The three-way talks took place on the margins of the foreign ministers' meeting of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), just less than two months after their previous gathering in Munich in mid-February.

"They expressed concern about provocative actions, particularly the recent military drills around Taiwan, and called for an end to further destabilizing actions," the joint statement read.

The statement did not specify what those provocative actions were, but it appears to be a veiled warning to China after its recent military drills in the Taiwan Strait earlier this week.

The Chinese military said Wednesday it had conducted drills in the area for a second day. Taiwan has accused China of sending its naval vessels and warplanes regularly toward the island.

The U.S. and its allies, while not recognizing Taiwan as an independent state, have opposed any attempts to change the status quo of the self-governed island by force, a position that was reaffirmed in Thursday's joint statement.

The statement also highlighted the commitment to strengthening industry cooperation, specifically mentioning U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) and shipbuilding -- the sectors that U.S. President Donald Trump has identified as areas for collaboration with South Korea and Japan.

The three sides also underscored the need to accelerate joint efforts to "develop and deploy advanced civil nuclear reactors to meet growing energy needs" and to ensure maritime security "through a modern maritime fleet, a robust shipbuilding industry."

They also committed to support South Korea's successful hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation later this year.

Regarding North Korea, the top diplomats expressed "serious concern" with its malicious cyber activities, including the theft of nearly US$1.5 billion worth of cryptocurrency from a single exchange service in February.

They called on the international community to take actions to prevent the North from converting the stolen cryptocurrency into hard cash.

Welcoming continued talks among the U.S., Russia and Ukraine over the war, the three sides "encourage progress towards a comprehensive ceasefire."

They also expressed their deep condolences for the loss of lives and damage caused by the wildfires in South Korea and Japan.

elly@yna.co.kr
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