Korea-US-Japan Leaders to Adopt Two Documents on 'Principles' and 'Spirit' at Camp David

'Principles', Guidelines for Korea-US-Japan Cooperation
'Spirit', Vision and Implementation Plans for Trilateral Cooperation
Korea-US-Japan Aim for Comprehensive Cooperative Framework in Responding to North Korea

The Presidential Office announced on the 17th that it has confirmed the adoption of two documents, the 'Camp David Principles' and the 'Spirit of Camp David,' at Camp David, the U.S. President's private retreat, on the 18th (local time). While the Camp David Principles serve as guidelines for trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, the Spirit of Camp David contains the vision for trilateral cooperation and concrete implementation measures.

Kim Tae-hyo, the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the afternoon of the 17th and stated, "As a result of this summit, we have confirmed the adoption of two documents and there is a possibility of adopting one more." He first disclosed the titles and significance of the two confirmed documents.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the Camp David Principles, Deputy Director Kim explained, "It is a document that encapsulates the main principles of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan by major themes." He added, "The three leaders will declare principles to strengthen cooperation based on shared values and norms for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, ASEAN, Pacific island countries, the Indo-Pacific region, and the world. They will also jointly respond to global issues such as economic norms, advanced technology, climate change development, and non-proliferation."

Regarding the Spirit of Camp David, he described it as "a joint statement reflecting the trilateral leaders' shared vision and key outcomes," consisting of "the establishment of specific consultative bodies embodying the shared vision, regional threats, extended deterrence and joint exercises, economic cooperation, and economic security."

On the background for adopting the Spirit of Camp David, he said, "It contains the vision and will to act for trilateral cooperation." He added, "The three leaders recognized the inevitability of South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation amid intensifying geopolitical competition, the Ukraine war, the climate crisis, and nuclear proliferation, and thus declared a new era of trilateral partnership."

Deputy Director Kim emphasized, "As seen in the name and content, the South Korea-U.S.-Japan summit institutionalizes and solidifies the trilateral cooperation system." Although trilateral dialogues have continued for over 30 years, the sustainability of these dialogues was fragile due to domestic political situations and changes in foreign policy directions in the three countries, and the cooperation agenda was limited. However, recent improvements in trilateral relations have created synergy.

He further explained, "Starting from this summit, South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation will evolve from a regional cooperation focused on the North Korean threat on the Korean Peninsula to a broader regional cooperation framework contributing to freedom, peace, and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region." He added, "The scope of cooperation will also expand beyond security to encompass comprehensive cooperation including economy, advanced technology, health, women, and human exchanges."

Deputy Director Kim also announced that bilateral talks with the U.S. and Japan will be held respectively on the occasion of this summit. However, a Presidential Office official responded to a question about whether the Fukushima contaminated water issue would be included on the agenda of the South Korea-Japan summit by stating, "The contaminated water issue will not be discussed in the South Korea-Japan bilateral talks."

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