2024-04-11 18:15:20
Praise to Kishida for “courageous measures to improve relations with Korea”
“The U.S.-Japan alliance is a light for the world… There are no limits to what our two countries can do.”
U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized strengthening cooperation in the defense and security fields between the two countries through a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. He welcomed the North Korea-Japan summit promoted by Prime Minister Kishida.
President Biden held a joint press conference with Prime Minister Kishida at the White House on the 10th (local time) and said, “Over the past three years, the partnership between the United States and Japan has transformed into a truly global partnership,” adding, “The two countries are making important investments to strengthen defense and security cooperation.” “We are taking action,” he said.
On this day, the two leaders held a summit meeting at the White House on the occasion of Prime Minister Kishida’s state visit to the United States. Various agendas were discussed at this meeting, including strengthening defense and security cooperation between the two countries, cooperation in the space field, economic security issues and crisis response, and expansion of human exchanges.
President Biden said, “We are modernizing our command and control structure and promoting interoperability and planning so that our forces can work together in an even and efficient manner.” He continued, “This is the most significant upgrade since the founding of our alliance.”
Defense cooperation between the United States, Japan, and Australia was also mentioned. He said, “For the first time, Japan, the United States, and Australia will build a networked system in air, missile, and defense structures.” He also expressed expectations about trilateral military exercises with Japan and Britain.
Japan’s participation in some areas of AUKUS, a tripartite security alliance between Japan and Australia and the United Kingdom, was also mentioned. “Ocus Partnership is exploring ways to participate in ‘Pillar 2’.” Pillar 2 focuses on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems.
President Biden assessed, “This will become a new standard for our military cooperation across a variety of capabilities.” He also mentioned Toyota’s investment in battery production facilities and emphasized that Japan is the largest investor in the United States.
However, regarding Japan Steel’s acquisition of US steel company US Steel, which is opposed by domestic steel unions and others, he said, “I will keep my promise to American workers.” In fact, this is a reaffirmation of the opposition to the sale, and is a different opinion from Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who emphasized ‘following the law’.
At the same time, he praised Prime Minister Kishida for his “courageous leadership” for leading the global partnership between the two countries. He also said that Prime Minister Kishida “took courageous steps to improve relations with Korea so that we can all stand side by side.”
Regarding Prime Minister Kishida’s push for a North Korea-Japan summit, he said, “Our alliance welcomes the opportunity to begin dialogue with North Korea,” and emphasized, “As I have said several times, we are open to dialogue with North Korea at any time without preconditions.” did.
In this context, “I believe in Japan. “I trust Prime Minister (Kishida),” he said. “It is good that he (Kishida) is seeking dialogue with them (North Korea).” “It’s a positive thing,” he said. In addition, he said that he discussed the issue of Japanese abductees to North Korea and supported its immediate resolution.
China is keeping its guard up every day regarding this US-Japan summit and the upcoming US-Japan-Philippines summit. In relation to this, President Biden said, “Our alliance with Japan is purely defensive in nature,” and emphasized that cooperation is also at a defensive level.
“This is not aimed at a specific country or any threat in the region,” he said. “It is aimed at restoring stability in the region.” He also emphasized that he recently spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping and agreed to continue contact whenever there are issues to discuss.
However, regarding the Senkaku Islands (Chinese name Diaoyu Islands), a disputed territory, he said, “There is no wavering in our promise to defend Japan.” The joint declaration of the summit on this day also included the statement that the Senkaku Islands would be included in the United States’ defense obligations to Japan.
President Biden said to Prime Minister Kishida on this day, “The alliance has become stronger through our partnership,” and “We have expanded cooperation, raised common aspirations, and now the U.S.-Japan alliance is a beacon for the entire world.” He also said, “There is no limit to what our two countries can do.”
[서울=뉴시스]
2024-04-11 18:15:20