US, South Korea Announce Regional Cooperation Framework For Indo-Pacific, Concerned North Koreans May Soon Be Fighting Ukrainians

North Korea has fired another Intercontinental Ballistic Missile toward the Sea of Japan amid concerns that the country is preparing for its long-expected 7th nuclear test.

WASHINGTON/SEOUL - The United States and South Korea has announced a Regional Cooperation Framework for the Indo-Pacific region, and expressed concern that North Koreans may soon be fighting Ukrainians.

Europe/Asia Tensions Escalate, Pyongyang Denies Reports Of Troops In Russia, Seoul: North's 7th Nuclear Test Could Be Any Time

North Korea Sends 10,000 Soldiers To Russia For Training, Possible Support For Russian Troops

North Korea Claims South Korean Drones Infiltrated Capital. Pyongyang Sends Troops Into Ukraine

According to the Pentagon, the Initiatives and projects under the framework will focus on the following areas, which both sides have identified as priority areas for cooperation, with a particular focus on cooperation with ASEAN and Pacific Island countries:

1. Maritime Security 

2. Multilateral Exercises

3. Capacity Building 

4. Defense Exports and Defense Industrial Cooperation

5. Technical Cooperation (e.g., cyber security and emerging capabilities)

6. Information Sharing

“Both sides intend to identify points of contact responsible for coordinating engagements and tracking the implementation of cooperative projects decided upon under this framework. The lead points of contact should review potential opportunities and prioritize actions, with the goal of presenting at least one project or initiative each year before the SCM,” a statement by the Pentagon said.

North Korea Test-Fires ICBM, US Warns Nuclear Attack By North Korea Would Be End Of Kim "Regime"

North Korea has test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the East Sea (Sea of Japan) after reports surfaced that the country was planning on doing so. The South Korea military said it believes the missile to be a new-type solid-fuel ICBM that had a record flight time of 86 minutes, and is the first ICBM to be launched by the country since December of last year.

Ahead of a long-expected 7th nuclear test by Pyongyang and in light of recent missile launches and threats by the country toward South Korea, U.S. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has reissued a warning that he has issued over the last few years repeatedly, saying that if North Korea were to launch a nuclear attack would "result in the end of the Kim regime". 

Japanese, US Forces Hold Joint Military Exercises Reafirming “Strong Intention” To Respond To Any Situation. Japan Will Sign Security Agreement With EU Amid Rising Tensions With Beijing

Japanese and U.S. Forces also conducted a bilateral exercise, which the Japan Joint Staff said, “Reaffirms the strong intention between JPN and U.S. to respond to any situation, the readiness of JSDF and U.S. Forces, and further strengthens the deterrence and response capabilities of the JPN-U.S. Alliance.”

Japan is also signing a "Security and Defense Partnership" with the European Union (EU) amid rising tensions with China in the Indo-Pacific region, with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell visiting Japan beginning on November 1st in order to hold the very first "Japan-EU Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue".

South Korea Tightens Export Controls After North Korea Test-Launches Solid-Fuel ICBM