The foreign ministers of South Korea, the United States, and Japan have reiterated their solid commitment to maintaining a robust deterrence stance against North Korea. They have also pledged to enhance trilateral cooperation on various fronts, including regional security, economic resilience, and emerging technologies. This decision was made during their meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related ministerial gatherings in Manila.
During the discussions, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi emphasized the importance of close coordination on North Korea policy. They agreed to persist in their efforts toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy underpinned by a credible deterrence strategy.
The ministers also tackled broader regional and global security concerns, particularly developments in Northeast Asia and the Middle East. They collectively expressed their support for the principles of freedom of navigation and overflight, adherence to international law, and the enhancement of maritime security throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
On the economic front, the three nations committed to intensifying their cooperation in areas such as nuclear energy, critical minerals, supply chain resilience, and advanced technologies. They also addressed the importance of measures to counter economic coercion. Moreover, they vowed to bolster collaboration in disaster relief, humanitarian aid, and the fight against transnational crime.
The meeting highlighted the commitment of South Korea, the United States, and Japan to expanding practical cooperation. The ministers emphasized the need for regular consultations to effectively tackle shared security and economic challenges.