The United States and the Republic of Korea have announced a new framework to enhance their cooperation in ensuring security across the Indo-Pacific region. The U.S. Department of Defense and the ROK Ministry of National Defense revealed this initiative, which aims to deepen collaboration between the two nations and maintain a free, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
The framework is built upon shared interests and values such as democratic governance, rule of law, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. It aligns with both countries' strategies for the region—the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy and the ROK Strategy for a Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific—and supports Korea’s aspiration to become a "Global Pivotal State."
According to the announcement, "Our cooperative efforts should seek to create a region that is more connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient." Both nations recognize that upholding international laws in the Indo-Pacific advances their national interests. They reaffirmed their support for ASEAN's centrality and unity and committed to partnering with ASEAN on defense-related areas.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense and the ROK Minister of National Defense endorsed principles focusing on regional connectivity, prosperity, security, resilience, mutual confidence, trust, reciprocity, and respect for international norms. They intend to bolster maritime security and foster interoperability with like-minded countries through multilateral exercises.
Increased participation in these exercises will enhance readiness against evolving threats. Furthermore, initiatives will focus on non-proliferation, counter-terrorism efforts, humanitarian aid, climate change response, infectious disease prevention as well as empowering regional organizations for greater stability.
Both sides plan to collaborate on defense exports by sharing best practices on export controls and technology security while enhancing cyber domain information sharing to strengthen regional cybersecurity.
Finally, they pledged continued dialogue through established forums such as the Regional Cooperation Working Group (RCWG) reporting annually via the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD).
The framework also emphasizes presenting cooperative project concepts through government channels while facilitating business-to-business connections where applicable. These projects will target priority areas like maritime security and capacity building within ASEAN countries and Pacific Island nations.
