Japan, South Korea, U.S. Strengthen Trilateral Cooperation

The nations agreed to elevate defense collaboration, including speeding up information sharing on North Korea's missile launches, cyber activities, strengthening ballistic missile defense cooperation.

Department of Defense: The trilateral ties among Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United  States will make the world safer and the three countries stronger,  President Joe Biden said at the conclusion of talks at Camp David, Maryland today.

The United States has decades of solid relations with both South Korea and  Japan bilaterally – both nations are treaty allies of the United States. But forging a trilateral relationship has long proved difficult, as there have been roadblocks to relations between South Korea and Japan.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III: "Today's summit reaffirmed that cooperation among our three  countries delivers security and prosperity for our people, the Indo-Pacific region, and the world."

Biden praised the political courage of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio for their efforts to work together. He said the Republic of Korea and Japan are capable and indispensable allies, and that America's commitment to both countries is ironclad.

"Strengthening the ties between our democracies has long been a priority for me,  dating back to when I was vice president of the United States," Biden said at the start of the meeting. 

"That's because our countries are stronger and the world is safer … as we stand together. And I know this is a belief we all three share." 

An Inflection Point In History: The Three Countries Agree To Elevate Defense Collaboration, Including Information Sharing On North Korean Launches: