White House: "Leaders of South Korea, US, and Japan to Unveil Trilateral Cooperation Enhancement Initiative" (Comprehensive)

The U.S. administration under Joe Biden has confirmed that it will announce key initiatives to strengthen trilateral cooperation at the upcoming South Korea-U.S.-Japan summit scheduled for the 18th. This signals the continuation of marathon-level cooperation among the three countries across a wide range of areas in the future. Specific measures are particularly expected in the fields of security, technology, and education.

Image source=John Kirby, White House National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications, Foreign Press Center Briefing

John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House National Security Council (NSC), stated at a briefing at the Foreign Press Center (FPC) on the 16th (local time), “The initiatives announced at the South Korea-U.S.-Japan summit will elevate trilateral relations to a new level.” Kirby emphasized, “Trilateral cooperation is for the future,” adding, “This historic meeting will be the result of strong leadership, diplomacy, and determination to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for coming generations.”

Kirby stressed that the initiatives to be announced at the summit are not limited to challenges in specific areas. He explained, “They address broader challenges related to trilateral cooperation,” and “a variety of topics will be discussed, ranging from economic and diplomatic to security domains.” This aligns with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s separate briefing the previous day, where he said, “It will be an opportunity to discuss and strengthen practical cooperation on various shared priorities, from physical security to economic security, humanitarian aid, finance, global health, and technology.”

Regarding the North Korean nuclear issue, Kirby said, “The reason we feel the need to improve security cooperation is due to North Korea’s continued provocations,” and predicted, “We will see a focus on security aspects at this meeting to improve military interoperability, integration, and coordination among the three countries.” He added, “While security issues are a topic of discussion, I want to emphasize that this meeting is about more than just the security environment.”

Seemingly conscious of the ongoing hegemonic competition with China, Kirby also confirmed that the trilateral discussions are not aimed at China. He said, “Various topics will be discussed, but this is not about China.” Regarding speculation that the summit could lead to the launch of a Quad-level security consultative body among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan (the Quad being a security consultative group of the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia), he drew a clear line, stating, “We already have individual alliances with South Korea and Japan,” and “This meeting is not about establishing an official alliance among the three countries. That is not a subject of this meeting.”

In response to forecasts that a NATO office might be established in the Indo-Pacific region, Kirby replied, “I do not expect visible or concrete discussions related to NATO cooperation.” When asked about a trilateral nuclear deterrence framework similar to the U.S.-South Korea nuclear consultative group, he refrained from commenting, saying, “I will not get ahead of things.” He added, “We take our security commitments to South Korea and Japan very seriously.”

On the same day, Kirby emphasized, “Early in the Biden administration, we worked to rebuild and revitalize alliances and partnerships worldwide, including in the Indo-Pacific region,” and “We are reaching a new level of cooperation with our allies and partners.” Regarding South Korea-Japan relations, he evaluated, “The leaders of both countries have shown remarkable leadership,” and “Thanks to the political courage of President Yoon Suk-yeol and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korea-Japan relations have become stronger than ever.” He further stressed, “We still believe there is room to grow, especially through trilateral formats. That is the purpose of this summit.”

The South Korea-U.S.-Japan summit will be held on the 18th at Camp David, the U.S. president’s retreat, with President Biden, President Yoon Suk-yeol, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in attendance. This is the first time President Biden has invited foreign leaders to Camp David since taking office. Additionally, Kirby addressed concerns that the momentum for trilateral cooperation might weaken due to upcoming presidential elections and regime changes, stating, “At this meeting, the three leaders will make it clear that they are ready to run a marathon to enhance trilateral cooperation,” and emphasized, “This meeting is just the beginning.”

On the same day, Kurt Campbell, NSC Coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, also stated in a discussion at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., “We will see ambitious initiatives to strengthen trilateral relations at the South Korea-U.S.-Japan summit.” He highlighted, “Attention should be paid to the symbolism of holding the meeting at Camp David,” adding, “This signifies the importance we attach to this historic moment.” Furthermore, he said, “Exchanges will deepen in three areas: security, technology, and education,” and “We are forming a triangular relationship for the 21st century.”

Meanwhile, Kirby commented on North Korea’s announcement that Private Travis King, a U.S. soldier stationed in South Korea who defected to the North, expressed his intention to seek asylum. He said, “Anything coming out of Pyongyang should be viewed with suspicion.” He added, “This is an important follow-up situation. We still want to know where he is and what condition he is in,” and “Through other channels, we have made it clear to North Korea that we want his return, but currently, there is little information.” North Korea claimed in a report by the Korean Central News Agency the previous day that “Travis King expressed disillusionment with the unequal American society and declared his intention to seek asylum in our country or a third country.”

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