US Calls Korea-Japan Summit a "True Example of Leadership"... US Also to Cooperate

On the 8th (local time), the U.S. Department of State praised the South Korea-Japan summit, calling it "a new beginning for alliance partners and an example of true leadership."

Vedant Patel, the State Department's Principal Deputy Spokesperson, made the remarks during a briefing in response to related questions, saying, "We welcome the South Korea-Japan summit."

He stated, "This has created new momentum among like-minded countries that respect the rule of law, are equal and committed, and share our commitment to promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region," adding, "We will continue to cooperate through alliances with South Korea, Japan, and other partners to advance these interests."

When asked to assess the possibility of a South Korea-China-Japan summit amid China's unfavorable view of strengthened trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, he drew a clear line, saying, "We have been very clear that we do not ask any country to choose between the United States and China, or between the United States and other countries."

Patel also expressed, "We are very confident in our close partnerships not only with South Korea but also with Japan."

Referring to the recent South Korea-U.S. summit and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Japan, he emphasized, "We will continue to deepen our relationships not only bilaterally with South Korea and Japan but also through trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, aiming to promote peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific."

When asked whether Japan would participate in the 'Washington Declaration' derived by the South Korea-U.S. leaders, he replied, "There are no changes to announce today," but added, "We welcome increased cooperation between our South Korean and Japanese partners as well as expanded trilateral cooperation."

He emphasized, "We see all of this as beneficial to all three of our countries," adding, "It is good for promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region."

Meanwhile, when asked about the U.S. position on Japan's discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, Patel responded, "We will check," refraining from making specific comments.

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