President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed in principle to revise the missile guideline between Korea and the United States, concurring on the need to reinforce the defense capabilities of the Republic of Korea in the wake of the North Korean provocations.

The two heads of state reached this agreement while speaking on the phone for 40 minutes from 11:10 this evening to discuss the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and measures to respond to it.

President Moon pointed out that the recent missile launch by North Korea constituted a contravention of United Nations Security Council resolutions and, at the same time, a grave provocation escalating tensions in the region. He noted that the Korean Air Force conducted a powerful show of force to demonstrate massive retaliation capabilities and that the United States rapidly deployed its strategic assets, manifesting the robust ROK-U.S. combined defense posture. He also gave high marks to close cooperation between Korea and the United States in prompting the United Nations Security Council to announce a statement denouncing the North Korean missile provocation with a swiftness rarely seen.

President Trump noted that it was important to send a strong, unequivocal message to North Korea while sternly responding to its recurring provocations.

The two leaders reconfirmed the importance of applying maximum sanctions and pressure on the North to prevent its provocations and make it return to a negotiating table for the peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue. To this end, they agreed to continue to pursue close coordination through the ROK-U.S. alliance as well as among Korea, the United States and Japan. They gave a high evaluation of close consultations between the two nations` national security councils and diplomatic and military authorities in the process of responding to and deterring the North`s provocations. They also came to an agreement to sustain close cooperation through frequent contacts at various levels in the days to come.

The two leaders shared an understanding that it was necessary to fortify the Republic of Korea’s national defense capabilities to respond to North Korea’s provocations and threats and agreed in principle to revise the bilateral ballistic missile guideline to the level that Korea hoped to achieve.

President Moon delivered a message of deep consolation for the enormous casualties and property damage caused by Harvey, the strongest hurricane in 13 years that hit the southern part of the United States. He expressed the hope that the catastrophe would be overcome as soon as possible under the leadership of President Trump and indicated his willingness to participate in the recovery efforts. In response, President Trump expressed his deep gratitude.

The two leaders agreed to meet again on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly this month and continue close strategic cooperation and consultations on overall issues regarding the Korea-U.S. alliance, including the issues on the Korean Peninsula, through frequent meetings and discussions, including multilateral summits scheduled in the second half of this year.