During the APEC summit in Peru, leaders from South Korea, the United States, and Japan announced the creation of a Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat. This initiative aims to enhance regional security coordination and strengthen their joint response to threats from North Korea and broader regional challenges.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba issued a joint statement reaffirming their dedication to trilateral collaboration. They emphasized the significance of this partnership for ensuring a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region.
Trilateral Secretariat for Greater Security Coordination
The newly formed Trilateral Secretariat will focus on aligning the security and strategic objectives of the three nations. “This secretariat will help ensure our collaborative efforts are coordinated to promote a prosperous, stable, and secure Indo-Pacific,” the leaders stated. Over the past 15 months, they have established this trilateral partnership to address growing security challenges.
The announcement also highlighted expanded defense cooperation, including successful Freedom Edge military exercises and a Memorandum of Understanding for security collaboration. The nations have agreed to conduct annual defense meetings and share real-time data on North Korean missile launches. Furthermore, they are enhancing officer exchanges to bolster defense interoperability.
Condemnation of North Korea and Russia
The leaders condemned North Korea and Russia for actions that violate multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions. They specifically criticized North Korea’s decision to send troops to Russia to support its war efforts in Ukraine. The statement underscored the shared commitment of South Korea, Japan, and the United States to respond collectively to regional provocations and security threats.
