Japan Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, and Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik convened a Trilateral Ministerial Meeting on July 28, 2024, in Japan for the first time in history. The three defense leaders recalled their commitment to strengthening trilateral security cooperation following the U.S.-Japan-ROK Summits at Phnom Penh and Camp David. The Secretary and two Ministers discussed shared regional security concerns and renewed their commitment to contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific region, and beyond.
The three defense leaders recalled their enduring commitment to strengthen trilateral security cooperation to deter nuclear and missile threats posed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) as well as shared recognition and concerns about the security environment, as reiterated in the Joint Statement of the U.S.-Japan-ROK Ministerial Meeting on June 2, 2024, in Singapore. They expressed grave concern over the increasing military and economic cooperation between the Russian Federation and DPRK, highlighted by the signing of the "Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," which is contrary to multiple UN Security Council resolutions. They also condemned DPRK’s recent diversification of nuclear delivery systems, tests, launches of multiple ballistic missiles, and other relevant activities. The Secretary and Ministers expressed concern about other provocative actions by DPRK that could escalate tension on the Korean Peninsula and urged DPRK to cease such actions immediately. Additionally, they shared assessments of recent maritime and air military activities in the Indo-Pacific region, including the South China Sea.
As emphasized at the Camp David Summit, the Secretary and Ministers reaffirmed their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in Indo-Pacific waters. They shared concerns about actions inconsistent with international law as reflected in UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) stressing full respect for international law including freedom of navigation and overflight.
The three defense leaders commended successful execution of multi-domain trilateral exercise "FREEDOM EDGE," through which Japan, United States, ROK expressed resolve promoting trilateral interoperability safeguarding freedom ensuring peace stability Indo-Pacific including Korean Peninsula.
Today three defense leaders signed Memorandum Cooperation Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework among Department Defense United States America Ministry Defense Japan Ministry National Defense Republic Korea (TSCF) announced it has come into effect. TSCF institutionalizes trilateral security cooperation among defense authorities including senior-level policy consultations information sharing trilateral exercises defense exchange cooperation contributing peace stability Korean Peninsula Indo-Pacific region beyond. Accordingly Secretary two Ministers reaffirmed unwavering nature new era trilateral cooperation.
Two Ministers Secretary concurred convene TMM person ROK next year accordance expressed intent host meeting rotational basis.
Three defense leaders further develop trilateral cooperation effectively address regional challenges provocations threats.
