[ti:Japan, South Korea and U.S. Strengthen Security Ties] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.04]Diplomats from the United States, Japan [00:04.12]and South Korea confirmed their commitment [00:08.40]to working together against possible threats from North Korea. [00:14.48]The officials represent their countries on nuclear weapons issues. [00:20.00]They met Wednesday in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, [00:24.60]agreeing to strengthen their security ties. [00:29.92]"North Korea is continuing and even accelerating [00:33.80]its nuclear and missile capabilities," [00:36.84]said Japanese diplomat Takehiro Funakoshi [00:40.80]before Wednesday's discussions. [00:44.20]He noted a possible threat of more nuclear tests by North Korea. [00:50.92]The country has performed an unusually [00:53.84]high number of missile launches this year. [00:57.08]And the United States has warned [01:00.24]that North Korea could sell weapons to Russia. [01:03.96]Wednesday's meeting followed similar talks [01:07.32]over the past two months. [01:10.12]One took place between security advisers in Hawaii last week. [01:15.68]At the same time, there were signs North Korea [01:20.08]might be performing its first nuclear test since 2017. [01:25.48]Funakoshi said North Korea was welcome to join talks [01:31.12]and negotiations with Japan, South Korea, and the United States. [01:37.44]American Representative Sung Kim [01:40.76]and South Korean Representative Kim Gunn [01:44.48]also expressed support for talks that include North Korea. [01:50.08]Sung Kim said the U.S., Japan and South Korea [01:55.64]are prepared for any actions North Korea might carry out. [02:01.36]And he said the U.S. goal has not changed: [02:05.96]It seeks denuclearization of Korea. [02:10.08]Japan's Foreign Ministry later said in a statement [02:14.40]that the three representatives had shared deep concerns [02:18.84]about North Korea's recent activities. [02:22.96]In August, North Korea fired two missiles from its west coast [02:28.32]after South Korea and the United States [02:31.72]began their largest field military training in years. [02:36.84]North Korea has said it considers the training preparation for war. [02:43.32]Kim Sung-han is South Korea's national security adviser. [02:49.36]Speaking after the meeting, [02:51.44]he said that the representatives agreed [02:54.64]there would be what he called a "soft" answer [02:58.44]if North Korea performed a nuclear test. [03:01.92]He did not give details, [03:04.64]but the South Korean government in the past [03:07.60]has proposed increasing sanctions. [03:11.92]I'm Caty Weaver. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM