Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

1. During the South Korea-Japan Defense Ministerial Meeting in June 2023, the ministers of the two nations acknowledged that enhancing security cooperation between South Korea and Japan, as well as among South Korea, the United States, and Japan, is becoming crucial in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, as well as challenges to regional and global security.

2. At the South Korea-U.S.-Japan Summit in August 2023, the leaders of the three nations agreed to elevate trilateral security cooperation to a new level and reaffirmed the significance of such cooperation in addressing regional security challenges based on the belief that cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan promotes the safety and prosperity of the people, the region, and the world.

3. The two ministers shared their recognition of the mutual benefits of security cooperation between South Korea and Japan. Given their shared core values and strategic interests, they view their cooperation as a cornerstone for robust security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan and vital both for deterring threats from North Korea and for realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

4. The two ministers agreed on their commitment to advancing security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, as well as enhancing mutual trust between their defense authorities while promoting communication and collaboration in various areas.

5. To revitalize dialogue between the defense authorities of South Korea and Japan, the two ministers resolved to take advantage of these opportunities to discuss the specifics of future security cooperation between South Korea and Japan and agreed on the following matters:

(1) Annualizing the vice-ministerial defense meeting between South Korea and Japan;

(2) Resuming the working-level defense policy talks between South Korea and Japan;

(3) Resuming high-level exchanges between the South Korean Armed Forces and the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

6. Furthermore, in accordance with the discussion at the South Korea-Japan Defense Ministerial Meeting in June 2023, the Ministry of National Defense and Navy of South Korea held working-level consultations with the Ministry of Defense and Maritime Self-Defense Force of Japan, aiming to prevent the recurrence of incidents similar to the one between the Navy of South Korea and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in December 2018, which could impede security cooperation between South Korea and Japan as well as among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.

7. Following discussions to ensure the safety of the South Korean Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, both parties shared their recognition of the importance of securing effective communication to promote mutual understanding. Accordingly, the Chief of Naval Operations of South Korea and the Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force have drafted an agreement including communication procedures between vessels and aircraft of the two nationalities, as well as headquarters-level communication methods, and agreed to proceed with the administrative procedures required for signing it. In the future, the Navy of South Korea and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will carry out operations in accordance with this agreement whenever they encounter each other at sea during peacetime.

8. The two ministers, while sharing their understanding of the above matters, agreed that the implementation of the working-level agreements would ensure safety when the Navy of South Korea and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force encounter each other at sea during peacetime. The implementation status of this agreement will be monitored not only by the Navy of South Korea and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force but also through regular consultations between the defense authorities of the two nations.

9. Based on the outcome of this meeting, the two ministers agreed to continue strengthening security cooperation between South Korea and Japan, as well as among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.