Yoon, After Funeral, Heads to US... Start of Korea-US-Japan 'New Cooperation'

Morning of the 17th: Father’s Three-Day Funeral Concludes... Smooth Progress in Normal Diplomacy
Focused Discussions on Three Major Areas: Korea-US-Japan Security, Advanced Technology, and Supply Chains
High Expectations in the US... "Extensive Dialogue to Be Held"

President Yoon Suk-yeol will depart for the United States on the afternoon of the 17th to attend the Korea-US-Japan summit held at Camp David. As the first-ever standalone Korea-US-Japan summit in history, the leaders are expected to produce meaningful outcomes in three major areas: security, advanced technology, and supply chains.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife Kim Keon-hee are attending the funeral procession of Yoon Ki-jung, an honorary professor at Yonsei University and the president's father, held on the morning of the 17th at the funeral hall of Sinchon Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Provided by the Presidential Office [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, President Yoon will complete the three-day funeral rites for his late father, the late Professor Yoon Ki-jung, Emeritus Professor at Yonsei University, and on the 18th (local time), he will hold a summit meeting with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Camp David near Washington DC. After attending the leaders' luncheon, they will announce the results of the trilateral consultations through a joint press conference.

Despite the situation of mourning his father, President Yoon expressed his determination to carry out the scheduled diplomatic agenda without disruption to avoid any government vacuum. This is not only the first standalone meeting of the Korea-US-Japan leaders but is also seen as an opportunity to utilize bilateral summit meetings between Korea-US and Korea-Japan that may be arranged on the sidelines of this summit.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The key points to watch in this summit are the establishment of an evolved cooperation system in the three major areas of ▲security ▲advanced technology ▲supply chains. It is an opportunity to expand the trilateral cooperation system among Korea-US, Korea-Japan, and US-Japan. The White House has also announced that it will unveil "important initiatives that will help strengthen trilateral cooperation" at this summit.

Above all, in terms of security, the three countries will work on creating and institutionalizing the core framework for security cooperation, including cooperation on North Korea. Practical cooperation plans to jointly respond to North Korea’s nuclear missile threats are expected to be a major focus as a foundation to address regional common threats and ensure peace and security. Regarding extended deterrence, the presidential office clarified that "the focus is on the early establishment and deepening discussions of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), a bilateral Korea-US consultative body," and that this is not a trilateral discussion matter. However, considering the consistent and common security commitments of the US to both Korea and Japan, strategic deterrence among the three countries may also be addressed.

Discussions on key emerging technology fields such as AI (artificial intelligence), quantum, and space, which will be future growth engines, are also anticipated. Outcomes aimed at global standard formation, including joint research, are expected. Kurt Campbell, White House National Security Council (NSC) Indo-Pacific Coordinator, emphasized locally, "We will have extensive dialogues in advanced technology fields, and both Korea and Japan maintain a more unified front on technology-related issues than is generally known."

Strengthening partnerships for joint responses to supply chain and energy supply stability is also an expected outcome. Along with information sharing on trilateral supply chains, the establishment of an Early Warning System (EWS) will be discussed. In an interview with Bloomberg News published the day before, President Yoon stated, "We plan to further solidify the cooperative system to enhance supply chain resilience."

The US government, which invited the leaders of Korea and Japan, also expressed high expectations. Coordinator Kirby said at a State Department briefing the previous day, "This summit will open a new era of trilateral cooperation," adding, "We will focus on measures to maintain this progress and strive to further strengthen and improve trilateral cooperation in the future." He also hinted at future meetings following this summit. Coordinator Kirby explained, "It is unpredictable when the next trilateral summit will be," but added, "There will be continued meetings, discussions, and opportunities for engagement among the three countries even after the summit."

Some expect the adoption of a 'Spirit of Camp David' document at the Korea-US-Japan summit, which would deepen cooperation in key areas. As a summit outcome reflecting shared values and cooperative aspirations among the three countries, the presidential office previously stated, "At this meeting, the three leaders will discuss a joint vision and fundamental principles for Korea-US-Japan cooperation and establish a comprehensive and multilayered cooperation system across various fields and countries."

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