by By Oluchi Omai
On October 16, 2024, the Vice Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Korea and Japan, along with the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, met in Seoul to enhance cooperation on key regional and global issues. This marks the second meeting of the year, reaffirming the commitment made during the Trilateral Leaders’ Summit at Camp David. The nations—South Korea, Japan, and the United States—emphasized their shared values in addressing common challenges, promoting human rights, and ensuring security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
Strengthening Trilateral Partnership in the Indo-Pacific
The Vice Ministers, Kim Hong Kyun of South Korea, Okano Masataka of Japan, and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell, celebrated progress in expanding their trilateral partnership. A notable achievement is the successful launch of the trilateral military exercise “Freedom Edge,” which showcases their united efforts to promote peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific. They also highlighted the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework, further strengthening their collaboration.
Condemnation of North Korea’s Aggressive Actions
A significant topic during the meeting was the continued threat posed by North Korea. The Vice Ministers and the U.S. Deputy Secretary strongly condemned North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, violating United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. They expressed concern over North Korea’s provocative missile launches and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
The U.S. reiterated its “ironclad” defense commitments to South Korea and Japan, emphasizing its support for both nations’ security through extended deterrence. The leaders also backed South Korean President Yoon’s vision for a unified and peaceful Korean Peninsula. They expressed their commitment to promoting human rights in North Korea and called for the resolution of issues related to abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war.
Concerns Over North Korea-Russia Cooperation
The participants voiced deep concern over the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. They condemned arms transfers between the two nations, which violate UNSC resolutions, and criticized North Korea’s illicit activities, such as cybercrime and the dispatch of workers abroad to fund its weapons programs. The leaders agreed to continue working together to combat these illegal activities and enforce sanctions on North Korea.
Focus on the Middle East and Russia-Ukraine Conflict
The situation in the Middle East also drew attention. The leaders urged all regional players to act responsibly and with restraint, calling for constructive engagement to ease tensions. Additionally, they condemned Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, expressing support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They committed to working together to help Ukraine with energy infrastructure, recovery efforts, and holding Russia accountable for its actions.
Support for Peace in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea
The meeting also touched on the Indo-Pacific region’s broader security issues, particularly tensions in the Taiwan Strait. The Vice Ministers and Deputy Secretary opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the region and called for peace and stability. They emphasized the importance of maintaining a free and open maritime order in the South China Sea and condemned unlawful maritime claims.
Promoting Economic and Technological Cooperation
Economic security was another focus, with the leaders discussing ways to advance their trilateral cooperation in critical technologies such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. They praised the newly launched Trilateral Technology Leaders Training Program, which connects policymakers in key sectors. Additionally, they reaffirmed their support for a sustainable critical minerals supply chain through the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP).
Strengthening People-to-People Ties
The Vice Ministers and the U.S. Deputy Secretary celebrated growing people-to-people connections among the three countries. They applauded the success of the first Trilateral Global Leadership Youth Summit and looked forward to future summits. They also supported the Young Trilateral Leaders program, aimed at fostering dialogue among young people on shared global challenges.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue close consultations and finalize a trilateral coordinating mechanism by the next Trilateral Summit. The leaders reaffirmed that their partnership is essential to addressing regional and global challenges, promoting security, and enhancing prosperity.
