South Korea, the United States, and Japan have reaffirmed their united stance in maintaining a robust deterrence against North Korea, while also broadening their trilateral cooperation in areas such as regional security, economic resilience, and emerging technologies. This agreement was reached during a meeting held on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related ministerial gatherings in Manila, where South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi gathered.
The three nations emphasized the importance of close coordination on their North Korea policy, expressing their commitment to pursue the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy, supported by a credible deterrence. This collaboration aims to address the challenges posed by North Korea while ensuring stability and peace in the region.
Apart from North Korea, the ministers also addressed other regional and global security challenges. They discussed developments in Northeast Asia and the Middle East, reiterating their support for principles such as freedom of navigation and overflight, adherence to international law, and enhanced maritime security throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
On the economic front, the three countries agreed to intensify their cooperation in various sectors including nuclear energy, critical minerals, and supply chain resilience. They also focused on advancing technologies and finding ways to counter economic coercion. Additionally, they pledged to bolster their collaboration in disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and efforts to combat transnational crime.
This meeting highlighted the continued commitment of South Korea, the United States, and Japan to expand practical cooperation and hold regular consultations, addressing their shared security and economic challenges while strengthening their trilateral relations.