U.S. President Biden to Host Trilateral Summit with Japan and South Korea
During a NATO summit in Washington DC, the U.S. is also expected to hold talks with Japan and South Korea on China.
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Asian and Oceanian Affairs Funakoshi Takehiro (C), United States Special Representative for North Korea Policy Sung Kim (L), and South Korea's Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Kim Gunn (R), pose for photographs before their meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo on September 7, 2022. Photo by Anadolu Images.
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n a move to strengthen defense cooperation and address regional security challenges, U.S. President Joe Biden has announced plans to convene a trilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. The summit is scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the upcoming NATO meeting in Washington.
Diplomatic sources have revealed that President Biden intends to extend invitations to Prime Minister Kishida and President Yoon for the July gathering, with discussions expected to focus on strategic collaboration to deter threats from North Korea and China, among other pressing issues.
The proposed summit follows a precedent set during a previous meeting at Camp David last August, where the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to regular trilateral engagements. The forthcoming discussions are anticipated to build upon previous agreements and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation in defense and security matters.
Media blackout
While Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi declined to confirm Prime Minister Kishida’s participation, Japanese media outlets report a high likelihood of the summit taking place. Similarly, South Korea’s presidential office has yet to issue a response to inquiries regarding President Yoon’s attendance.
The anticipated discussions underscore the importance of strengthening ties between the United States and its East Asian allies in the face of evolving security challenges. As the U.S.-led NATO alliance seeks to expand its engagement with Indo-Pacific partners, initiatives such as this trilateral summit demonstrate a commitment to fostering regional stability and security cooperation.
Past participation of Prime Minister Kishida and President Yoon in NATO summits highlights the growing significance of Indo-Pacific partnerships within the broader framework of international security. With the looming specter of North Korea’s nuclear threat and China’s assertive behavior, the upcoming trilateral summit offers an opportunity for coordinated action and strategic alignment among key stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region.
The trilateral summit between the United States, Japan, and South Korea is expected to yield concrete outcomes and further solidify the alliance’s commitment to upholding peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. As preparations for the meeting gather momentum, all eyes are on Washington for the pivotal discussions that lie ahead.
Source: Reuters
