Top defense officials from Japan, the United States, and South Korea have committed to enhancing their trilateral relations and cooperation to ensure peace amid increasing security threats from China and North Korea, as reported by Nikkei Asia. The officials made this declaration during a meeting in Tokyo on Thursday.
This meeting marked the first time Japan hosted such a gathering of high-ranking defense personnel. The attendees included General Yoshihide Yoshida, the head of Japan’s Defence Ministry Joint Staff, General Charles Brown from the US, and Admiral Kim Myung Soo from South Korea.
During the meeting, the officials agreed to “continue to strengthen trilateral security cooperation to advance peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific, and beyond.” This commitment was highlighted in a joint statement released after their discussions. They collectively urged North Korea to “cease all destabilizing activities immediately” and condemned its growing ties with Russia while demanding an end to its nuclear program.
Opposition to China’s Expansionist Actions
The defense chiefs also addressed China’s aggressive actions in the Indo-Pacific region and the South China Sea. They opposed any attempts to change the status quo by force, underscoring the importance of maintaining stability and peace in these regions.
Before this trilateral meeting, the defense leaders of South Korea and Japan had met a day earlier for the first time in nine years. These talks also focused on strengthening their bilateral security cooperation. The officials plan to meet again in South Korea next year to continue these crucial discussions.
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Cybersecurity Concerns
Earlier this month, Felicity Oswald, head of the British government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), highlighted the cybersecurity threats posed by China and North Korea. In an interview with Nikkei Asia, she emphasized that these countries are among the most concerning in terms of cybersecurity threats. Oswald stressed that China’s evolving cyber capabilities should be a cause for global concern.
The recent meetings among top defense officials from Japan, the US, and South Korea reflect a strong commitment to addressing the rising security risks in the region. By enhancing their trilateral cooperation, these countries aim to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific, and beyond.
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