President Moon spoke on the phone with U.S. President Donald Trump for approximately 20 minutes from 8:30 this morning. They discussed how to work together in response to North Korea’s ballistic missile provocation that occurred in the wee hours this morning. 

The two heads of state strongly condemned North Korea for yet another long-range ballistic missile provocation despite repeated warnings from the international community and unified and tough sanctions and pressure applied in accordance with a series of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Moreover, the two Presidents agreed to a strong and resolute response to North Korean provocation on the basis of the ironclad Korea-U.S. combined defense posture. At the same time, they concurred on the need to channel efforts into bringing North Korea to the negotiating table by working closely with the international community and continuing sanctions and pressure on the North.

Noting the missile launched today was an upgraded one compared to the previous ones, President Moon said that he had convened a National Security Council meeting in the early morning to resolve to respond to the North`s provocations strongly and strictly. 

President Moon also explained that immediately after the North`s firing, the ROK Army, Navy and Air Force staged a joint counterattack exercise to fire ground-to-ground, ship-to-ground and air-to-ground missiles to strike the same spot almost simultaneously, demonstrating our capabilities to target the source of the North`s provocations. 

Saying that the two countries were closely cooperating with each other by sharing information on this missile launch and having carefully monitored the trend, President Moon suggested that they give comprehensive consideration to the situation, including North Korea’s intention, and thoroughly respond to it. 

Expressing a common understanding, President Trump proposed that the two sides have an additional consultation on concrete plans for their response based on a detailed and accurate evaluation of the missile provocation and close discussions between the foreign affairs and security authorities of the two countries. The two heads of state also agreed to have follow-up consultations at the earliest possible date based on additional assessments done by each side and a review of necessary responses.