JAPAN: Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Kurt Campbell meets his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo as the U.S. watches for North Korea's next move after rocket launch failure

Record ID: 187146

  • Title: JAPAN: Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Kurt Campbell meets his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo as the U.S. watches for North Korea's next move after rocket launch failure
  • Date: 17th April 2012
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (APRIL 16, 2012) (REUTERS) JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTRY BUILDING JAPANESE FLAG U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS, KURT CAMPBELL STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS, KURT CAMPBELL SAYING: "I think the United States and Japan are again demonstrating very close coordination in the midst of provocative action with respect to North Korea." JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION TO CAMPBELL (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS, KURT CAMPBELL SAYING: "I think we've seen also progress at the United Nations on Security Council actions on North Korea." CAMPBELL WALKING OFF CAMPBELL SITTING IN VAN VAN CARRYING CAMPBELL LEAVING MINISTRY BUILDING
  • Embargoed: 2nd May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan, Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAAYTLTX1KP8I5L4GQ0CW2L139X
  • Story Text: U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Kurt Campbell met his Japanese counterpart in Tokyo on Monday (April 16) to discuss North Korea's rocket launch amid growing concern over the reclusive state's next move.
    The United States was keeping a wary eye on North Korea after its unsuccessful launch of a long-range rocket last Friday (April 13).
    Pyongyang said the rocket launch was to put a satellite in orbit, but Washington and Tokyo described it as a disguised missile test. U.S. and other Western officials have said the launch violated a U.N. ban on the use of ballistic missile technology by North Korea.
    Officials and analysts worried that embarrassment from the rocket's failure might spur North Korea to undertake a third underground nuclear test or other actions to buttress the rule of the North's young new leader, Kim Jong-un, son of former leader Kim Jong-il.
    Campbell said the U.S. and Japan are working closely together.
    "I think the United States and Japan are again demonstrating very close coordination in the midst of provocative action with respect to North Korea," he said.
    "I think we've seen also progress at the United Nations on Security Council actions on North Korea," Campbell added.
    After several days of closed-door haggling, the U.N. Security Council is hoping to adopt a statement on Monday (April 16) condemning North Korea's botched rocket launch, council diplomats said.
    North Korea admitted its long-range rocket failed to deliver a satellite into orbit on Friday while U.S. and South Korean officials said it crashed into the sea a few minutes after launch.
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