▲ This file photo, released by Xinhua News Agency, shows a formation of the JL-2 missiles taking part in a military parade during the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in Beijing on Oct. 1, 2019. (Yonhap)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea, the United States, Japan and 37 other countries issued a joint statement Tuesday calling on countries to provide sufficient advance notification of launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and space launch vehicles (SLVs).

The statement came after China carried out a surprise launch of an SLBM into the open waters of the Pacific on July 6, drawing criticism from the U.S. and other countries. The countries did not mention China by name in the statement.

In the statement, the countries called on all nations, particularly nuclear-weapon states, to provide notification of ICBM, SLBM and SLV launches no less than 24 hours in advance, noting that nuclear-capable missile tests without sufficient advance notice are "dangerous" and disrupt the peace of nations close to these tests.

Notifications should include such information as the generic class of the ballistic missile or SLV, the planned launch notification window, the launch area and the planned direction, they said.

They said countries should also provide clear notices for airmen and mariners consistent with international standards to reduce risk, including expected impact and landing areas.

"Regularized, transparent notification arrangements do not constrain any nation's military development or operational needs," they said. "Instead, they reduce the risk of miscalculation, build confidence, and reflect a shared commitment to security."

In addition, the countries called on all relevant countries to participate in arrangements for providing advance notification of ICBM, SLBM and SLV launches to affected countries.

"One hundred and forty-five countries participate in one such mechanism, the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation," they said.

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