On July 28, 2024, Japan’s Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, and Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik held a historic Trilateral Ministerial Meeting in Japan. This was the first time the three defense leaders met together. They discussed ways to boost their security cooperation. By following earlier U.S.-Japan-ROK Summits in Phnom Penh and Camp David.
Trilateral Commitment to Peace and Stability
During the meeting, the leaders said they are dedicated to keeping peace and stability in the region. They promised to work together to tackle security issues. Related to the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific area, and elsewhere. They also stressed that they will join forces to stop North Korea from making nuclear weapons and launching missiles.
Concerns About North Korea
The leaders were very worried about North Korea’s recent actions. They criticized North Korea for testing new nuclear weapons and launching ballistic missiles. They were also concerned about North Korea’s growing military and economic relationship with Russia. This cooperation breaks several United Nations rules and is causing problems for many countries nearby. They told North Korea to stop these provocative actions right away.
Focus on Indo-Pacific Security
The leaders talked about recent military activities in the Indo-Pacific region, like in the South China Sea. They made it clear they don’t support any changes to the current situation in these waters. They stressed that international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), should be followed. The leaders also highlighted how important it is to respect freedom of navigation and overflight.
Successful Trilateral Exercises
The three defense leaders praised the “FREEDOM EDGE” exercise. This drill was a big success. It showed how well they can work together. The exercise aimed to make their forces work better together and keep peace in the Indo-Pacific and on the Korean Peninsula. It was a clear sign of their shared commitment to security.
New Memorandum of Cooperation
A major outcome of the meeting was the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation. The memorandum was on the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework (TSCF). This agreement formalises the trilateral security cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea. It includes senior-level policy consultations, information sharing, and joint exercises. The TSCF aims to strengthen peace and stability in the region and beyond. The leaders confirmed that this new era of trilateral cooperation is unwavering.
Future Trilateral Meetings
The leaders agreed to hold the next Trilateral Ministerial Meeting in South Korea next year. They plan to host these meetings on a rotational basis, showing their commitment to ongoing cooperation.
ROK-U.S. Alliance Discussions
Separately, Minister Shin and Secretary Austin met to discuss key issues facing the ROK-U.S. Alliance. They concentrated on the security of the Korean Peninsula and how to improve their defensive capabilities. They also talked about deepening the Alliance.
North Korea’s Provocative Actions
Minister Shin pointed out that North Korea recently sent trash balloons, which break the Korean Armistice Agreement. He stressed that these actions are a threat to South Korean sovereignty. Both leaders called on North Korea to stop these provocative acts right away.
Russian-DPRK Military Cooperation
The leaders discussed the illegal arms trade and technology transfers between Russia and North Korea. They agreed that these activities violate UN Security Council resolutions. They committed to enforcing these sanctions with the international community.
Nuclear Deterrence and Alliance Modernisation
The leaders were happy with the progress made in the Nuclear Consultative Group’s first year. They talked about new “ROK-U.S. Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations in the Korean Peninsula.” These guidelines strengthen the U.S.-ROK defense and make their military setup better. They also agreed to update their defense abilities and work together more on defense technology.
Strengthening the Trilateral Alliance
Minister Shin and Secretary Austin affirmed that the ROK-U.S. Alliance is strong than it ever was. They pledged to continue working together to enhance their contributions to peace and stability in the region. They also promised to work with other international partners. This meeting was a big step in improving their teamwork and dealing with regional problems.