Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary: "No Decisions Made on South Korea-US-Japan Summit"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Kato Katsunobu, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, stated that there is "nothing concretely decided" regarding the rumored trilateral summit between South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

At a regular press conference on the afternoon of the 24th, Kato made this remark. When asked to comment on the outcome of the South Korea-U.S. summit held at the White House on the 21st, he responded that it was a "meeting between third countries" and declined to comment.

He emphasized that "cooperation among the three countries, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, is indispensable for peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region," adding, "We intend to maintain trilateral cooperation for regional stability, including responses to North Korea."

Earlier, Kyodo News reported that, taking advantage of President Moon Jae-in's invitation to the upcoming G7 summit in the United Kingdom next month, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan are discussing holding a separate trilateral summit.

Regarding the agreement at the South Korea-U.S. summit to lift the missile range restrictions on South Korean forces, Kato said, "Given the severe security environment in East Asia, I believe that security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, including responses to North Korea, is important," and added, "We will continue to closely monitor the movements of regional countries such as South Korea and the U.S."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.