South Korea’s President Calls for Deeper Security Cooperation with US and Japan in Summit at Camp David
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol has urged for closer security cooperation with the United States and Japan to address the growing threat of North Korea’s nuclear program. In his upcoming summit with President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Camp David, Yoon believes they will “set a new milestone in trilateral cooperation.”
Unlike previous meetings that took place on the sidelines of international conferences, this trilateral summit signifies a commitment to strengthening ties amidst complex regional challenges. These challenges include North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and the strategic rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
During the summit, the leaders are expected to announce plans for expanded military cooperation, particularly in the areas of ballistic missile defense and technology development. This move aims to enhance their collective defense capabilities against North Korea’s advancing missile capabilities.
Yoon emphasized the significance of this summit in contributing to peace and prosperity in the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region. He stated, “South Korea and Japan will be able to jointly contribute to peace and prosperity across the globe while collaborating and exchanging in a future-oriented manner.”
Yoon also highlighted the crucial role of Japan in deterring North Korean aggression. He acknowledged Japan’s contribution by providing rear bases to the U.S.-led U.N. Command, which acts as a deterrent against any potential invasion by North Korea. Yoon emphasized that maintaining a strong partnership with Japan is essential for regional security.
The South Korean president stressed the necessity of Seoul-Washington-Tokyo cooperation in countering North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. He called for enhanced collaboration in terms of reconnaissance assets and real-time sharing of North Korean nuclear weapon and missile data.
This trilateral summit is expected to upset North Korea, which perceives it as a provocation and an attempt to strengthen military alliances against them. China, too, expressed opposition to the summit, voicing concerns over regional security and stability.
Despite these concerns, South Korea has maintained that its alliance with the U.S. and participation in U.S.-led regional initiatives are not aimed at targeting China. The focus remains on addressing the escalating threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear program and ensuring peace and stability in the region.
Amid growing worries over North Korea’s nuclear capabilities, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have increased military drills and resumed trilateral training. The three countries collectively host about 80,000 U.S. troops, highlighting the importance of their security cooperation.
This trilateral summit also comes at a time when the relations between South Korea and Japan have significantly improved. Yoon has taken steps to resolve bilateral issues, highlighting the shared challenges faced by both countries.
The Camp David summit will serve as a platform to strengthen cooperation and address regional security concerns. The leaders of South Korea, the United States, and Japan are expected to take decisive actions to bolster their defense capabilities and reaffirm their commitment to peace and stability in the region.
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Associated Press writer Aamer Madhani in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
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