Leaders of Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States convened at Camp David Aug. 18, forging a new era of trilateral cooperation focusing on shared strategic visions for the Indo-Pacific regional alliance.
The meeting focused on shared strategic visions for the Indo-Pacific region and comes at a time when global challenges including Russia's aggression against Ukraine, nuclear provocations and the climate crisis call for a united response, according to a Department of Defense news release.
"Today is a historic day for the United States and two of our closest allies," Secretary of Defense Lloyd J,. Austin III said in the release. "Under the leadership of President Biden, Prime Minister Kishida and President Yoon, we have advanced a new era of trilateral partnership with Japan and the Republic of Korea. Today's summit reaffirmed that cooperation among our three countries delivers security and prosperity for our people, the Indo-Pacific region and the world."
Among the key initiatives agreed upon were a multi-year trilateral framework that includes annual, multi-domain trilateral exercises; activating a data-sharing mechanism to exchange real-time missile warning data; and leveraging existing secure lines of communication, according to a White House news release.
President Joe Biden recently praised President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for transforming relations between Japan and South Korea, reinforcing ties with the U.S. and strengthening their trilateral relationship, the White House reported. The commitments included expanding cooperation in economies, peace, security, democracy and human rights.
In addition to the launch of a new Trilateral Indo-Pacific Dialogue, the leaders pledged to uphold regional security in the Indo-Pacific region, expressed support for ASEAN unity and climate resilience and voiced strong opposition to the PRC's actions in the South China Sea, according to the White House report.
On the subject of North Korea, the leaders made a firm commitment to complete denuclearization with the formation of a new working group. The U.S. also confirmed its unbreakable extended deterrence commitments to Japan and South Korea, including annual military exercises, the White House reported.
The summit included announcements of trilateral collaboration on various technological fronts and expressed unwavering support for Ukraine, with ongoing assistance and sanctions against Russia, the White House release said.
