The foreign ministers of South Korea, the United States, and Japan have reinforced their mutual commitment to upholding a robust deterrence strategy against North Korea, while also pledging to enhance trilateral cooperation in regional security, economic resilience, and cutting-edge technologies. This agreement emerged from discussions held on the fringes of ASEAN-related ministerial meetings in Manila.
During the meeting, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi emphasized the importance of maintaining close coordination on policies concerning North Korea. They renewed their dedication to pursuing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through a blend of dialogue and diplomacy, supported by credible deterrence measures.
The ministers also addressed a range of regional and global security issues, focusing on 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.
In addition to security matters, the three nations committed to deepening their collaboration on economic security fronts, including nuclear energy, critical minerals, supply chain resilience, and advanced technologies. They also agreed on strategies to counter economic coercion and to boost cooperation in disaster relief, humanitarian aid, and efforts to combat transnational crime.
The meeting highlighted the trio’s resolve to broaden practical cooperation and engage in regular consultations to tackle shared challenges in security and economic domains, underscoring their unified approach to addressing both regional and global issues.