November 3, 2022
MOFA response to North Korea’s test-firing of missiles on the morning of November 3
North Korea launched three missiles toward the Sea of Japan on the morning of November 3. These included one intercontinental ballistic missile fired at 06:40 Taipei time from the Sunan District of Pyongyang, as well as two short-range ballistic missiles fired at 07:39 from Kaechon in South Pyongan Province. The United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea have strongly rebuked North Korea for its actions, which undermine regional peace and stability.
Since January, North Korea has conducted 30 missile tests. It has also announced a nuclear weapons policy law, stating that it does not rule out a preemptive nuclear strike under certain conditions. Furthermore, it is making related preparations to resume nuclear test explosions, further escalating regional tensions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) expresses grave concern over North Korea’s repeated tests of various types of missiles in disregard of United Nations Security Council prohibitions, and it strongly condemns such conduct, which has eroded regional peace and stability.
As important members of the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan and the Republic of Korea are both facing military threats from authoritarian powers. In August, China used a visit to Taiwan by US Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi as a pretext to carry out large-scale naval and air live-fire exercises in areas surrounding Taiwan. Its motive was to negate the status quo that the Taiwan Strait is international waters in an attempt to make the strait its internal waters. In so doing, it threatened international air and sea navigation freedoms. Addressing China’s threatening military behavior, like-minded nations including the Republic of Korea and Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states have reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait to regional security and prosperity.
Taiwan will continue to closely follow North Korea’s provocative actions and their potential impact on the region. The government of Taiwan recognizes efforts by the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and other countries in the region to promote peace, prosperity, and denuclearization across the Korean Peninsula. It is also willing to work with like-minded countries to deter authoritarian expansion and aggression, uphold the rules-based international order, and safeguard a free and open Indo-Pacific.