Malaysia, Japan express deep concern over North Korea's nuclear programme

Malaysia and Japan have expressed deep concern over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programme and called for the complete, peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. The statement was made following a bilateral meeting between Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Wednesday. ‘Both leaders conveyed profound concern over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes as well as its malicious cyber activities,’ according to a joint statement released by Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. Both countries affirmed their commitment to the full, peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, including through the full implementation of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. Malaysia and Japan also reiterated the importance of an immediate resolution to the issue of the abduction of citizens in North Korea. In a separate note, the two leaders reaffirmed the need for reform of the UN, including the Security Council, so that it reflects the realities of the contemporary international community. Specifically, Malaysia and Japan stressed the importance of strengthening the representativeness, effectiveness, transparency and inclusiveness of the UN Security Council, including through the expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership. Prime Minister Takaichi expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s continued support for Japan’s candidacy as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The two countries also stated their mutual support for Malaysia’s candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2036-2037 term and Japan’s for the 2033-2034 term.