Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defence | Official website
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Japan Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, and Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik convened a Trilateral Ministerial Meeting on June 2, 2024, in Singapore. They discussed shared regional security concerns, reviewed the implementation of trilateral security cooperation lines of effort presented at the historic Camp David Summit on August 18, 2023, and discussed new initiatives to strengthen and institutionalize trilateral security cooperation to contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific region, and beyond. The leaders underscored the importance of maintaining this momentum and decided to hold the Trilateral Ministerial Meeting (TMM), the Trilateral Chiefs of Defense (Tri-CHOD) meeting, and the Defense Trilateral Talks (DTT) – with the intent to rotate hosting beginning this year.
The Secretary and the two Ministers affirmed their enduring commitment to strengthen trilateral security cooperation to deter nuclear and missile threats posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and to achieve the complete denuclearization of the DPRK in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). They condemned the DPRK's recent diversification of nuclear delivery systems, tests and launches of multiple ballistic missiles, the launches of what the DPRK purports to be a military reconnaissance satellite using ballistic missile technology, illicit ship-to-ship transfers, and arms shipments with Russia as clear violations of multiple UNSCRs. The United States reaffirmed its ironclad commitment to the defense of Japan and the ROK, emphasizing its commitment is backed by "the full range" of U.S. capabilities, including conventional and nuclear.
The three leaders urged the international community to advance its stated goal of ensuring that DPRK fully complies with its obligations under relevant UNSCRs. They affirmed they will redouble their efforts in support of effective UNSCR implementation following Russia's veto blocking renewal of UN Panel Experts' mandate monitoring sanctions on DPRK. The three sides also expressed concern about DPRK's most recent attempt to launch a military satellite and urged DPRK "to cease all further destabilizing activities immediately." They reaffirmed that a DPRK nuclear test would be met with "a strong and resolute response from international community." They reiterated that dialogue remains open toward peaceful resolution with DPRK.
The Secretary and Ministers stressed importance rules-based international order reaffirmed commitment stand Ukraine against Russia's unprovoked war aggression recognized actions serious violation principles territorial integrity sovereignty undermine fabric international order.
The three leaders exchanged views implementing U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy Japan's new plan for "Free Open Indo-Pacific" ROK Strategy Free Peaceful Prosperous Indo-Pacific Region.
As emphasized at Camp David Summit Secretary Ministers reaffirmed strongly oppose any unilateral attempts change status quo waters Indo-Pacific recalled respective positions regarding dangerous aggressive behavior People's Republic China supporting unlawful maritime claims recently witnessed South China Sea shared concerns about actions inconsistent international law reflected United Nations Convention Law Sea stressed importance fully respecting international law including freedom navigation overflight.
Additionally recognized no change basic positions Taiwan emphasized importance peace stability across Taiwan Strait indispensable element security prosperity international community called peaceful resolution cross-Strait issues.
Secretary Ministers recognized progress made since August 2023 Camp David Summit including activation data sharing mechanism exchange real-time missile warning data detect assess ballistic missiles launched by DPRK pledged enhance cooperation further optimizing data-sharing mechanism end year ensure ability deter counter provocations effectively.
Secretary Ministers decided execute first iteration new multi-domain trilateral exercise FREEDOM EDGE summer reaffirmed trilateral exercises executed systematic manner accordance multi-year trilateral exercise plan established last year following August 2023 Camp David Summit.
Leaders also decided conduct trilateral tabletop exercise TTX discuss how effectively deter respond based various threats Korean Peninsula Indo-Pacific region.
Secretary Ministers recognized importance continuing advance trilateral cooperation following August 2023 Camp David Summit pledged develop trilateral security cooperation framework within year institutionalize trilateral security cooperation including senior-level policy consultations information sharing trilateral exercises defense exchange cooperation.
Japan ROK highlighted importance bilateral ties trilateral cooperation protect advance shared security goals Secretary two Ministers committed continue strengthen trilateral cooperation ensure peace stability Korean Peninsula Indo-Pacific beyond.
