MOFA response to North Korea’s test-firing of a missile on the afternoon of November 9
November 9, 2022
North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan at approximately 14:31 Taipei time November 9 from Sukchon in South Pyongan Province, once again increasing regional tensions.
Since January, North Korea has conducted over 30 missile tests. It has also announced a nuclear weapons policy law, deliberately stressing that it does not rule out a preemptive nuclear strike under certain conditions. Furthermore, its preparations to resume nuclear test explosions are nearing completion. It has also launched artillery drills and dispatched military aircraft as a threatening measure, further escalating tension on the Korean Peninsula. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) 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. It strongly condemns North Korea’s military intimidation, which has eroded regional peace and stability. The Korean Mission in Taipei has expressed thanks to MOFA for having quickly condemned North Korea’s repeated missile launches this year.
As important members of the Indo-Pacific community, Taiwan and the Republic of Korea are both facing military threats from expansionist 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, many like-minded nations including the United States, Japan, 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, open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.