South Korea, the U.S., Japan, and 38 other countries have issued a joint statement calling for at least 24 hours' advance notification of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), and space launch vehicle (SLV) launches. The statement aims to reduce the risk of miscalculation and enhance security.

This coordinated international call for advance notice on ballistic missile and space launch vehicle tests aims to enhance global security by reducing the risk of accidental escalation and miscalculation, particularly in regions with heightened geopolitical tensions.
A joint statement issued by South Korea, the United States, Japan, and 38 other countries has called for nations to provide sufficient advance notification of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), and space launch vehicle (SLV) launches. The statement, released Tuesday, urges countries to give no less than 24 hours' notice for such launches, particularly from nuclear-weapon states.
The initiative comes in the wake of a surprise SLBM launch by China into the Pacific on July 6, which drew criticism from the U.S. and other nations, though China was not explicitly named in the joint statement. The participating countries emphasized that advance notifications should include details such as the generic class of the missile or SLV, the planned launch notification window, the launch area, and the planned direction.
Furthermore, the statement called for clear notices for airmen and mariners consistent with international standards to reduce risks, including expected impact and landing areas. The signatories stated that regularized, transparent notification arrangements do not constrain any nation's military development or operational needs but instead reduce the risk of miscalculation, build confidence, and reflect a shared commitment to security.
The countries also urged all relevant nations to participate in arrangements for providing advance notification of ICBM, SLBM, and SLV launches to affected countries, noting that 145 countries currently participate in the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation.