Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

On June 2, 2024, South Korean Minister of National Defense Shin Won Sik, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Japanese Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara held a trilateral defense ministerial meeting in Singapore.

The three officials discussed shared regional security concerns and reviewed the implementation of trilateral security cooperation as part of the efforts agreed at the historic Camp David Summit held on August 18, 2023.

They also discussed new initiatives to strengthen and institutionalize trilateral security cooperation to contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific region, and beyond.

Emphasizing the significance of maintaining this momentum, the officials decided to rotate the hosting of the Trilateral Ministerial Meeting (TMM), the Trilateral Chiefs of Defense (Tri-CHOD) meeting, and the Defense Trilateral Talks (DTT), starting this year.

They reaffirmed their continuous commitment to trilateral security cooperation to deter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and achieve its complete denuclearization in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The three officials condemned North Korea's actions, including recent diversification of nuclear delivery systems, launches of multiple ballistic missiles, launches of so-called military reconnaissance satellites using ballistic missile technology, and illegal transshipment and arms trading with Russia, as flagrant violations of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

The United States reaffirmed its ironclad defense commitments to South Korea and Japan, adding that these commitments are backed by all categories of U.S. capabilities, including both conventional and nuclear forces.

The officials called on the international community to move forward with the explicit goal of ensuring that North Korea fully complies with its obligations under relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The three nations also agreed to redouble their efforts to assist in the effective implementation of UN Security Council resolutions in the wake of the recent interruption of the UN Panel of Experts' term extension to monitor sanctions on North Korea due to Russia's exercise of its veto power.

The three officials voiced concerns about North Korea's latest attempted launches of military reconnaissance satellites and urged the North to immediately cease all actions that escalate instability. They also reaffirmed that North Korea will face a strong and resolute response from the international community should it carry out a nuclear test.

In addition, they emphasized that the path to a peaceful and diplomatic resolution with North Korea remains open.

The ministers underscored the importance of a rules-based international order and reaffirmed their commitment to support Ukraine against Russia's unjust and heinous war of aggression.

They also shared the view that Russia's actions constitute a grave violation of the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty and undermine the foundations of the international order.

The officials exchanged views on South Korea's "Strategy for a Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific," the United States' "Indo-Pacific Strategy," and Japan's "New Plan for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific."

They highlighted the importance of the rule of law in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The three officials reaffirmed their strong opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo in Indo-Pacific waters, as emphasized at the Camp David Summit, and reiterated their respective positions regarding recent dangerous and aggressive actions by the People's Republic of China in support of its unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea.

Sharing concerns about actions inconsistent with international law as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), they underlined the significance of fully respecting international law, including the freedom of navigation and overflight.

In addition, the officials acknowledged no change in their basic positions on Taiwan, stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as an essential element for regional stability and prosperity, and called for a peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.

The three officials evaluated the progress made subsequent to the Camp David Summit in August 2023, including the operation of a real-time missile warning information sharing system designed to detect and assess missiles launched by North Korea.

They agreed to strengthen cooperation by further optimizing the real-time missile warning information sharing system within this year to ensure effective deterrence and response capabilities.

They also agreed to conduct a trilateral exercise called "Freedom Edge," which will encompass a variety of new domains, for the first time this summer.

The ministers reaffirmed that the trilateral exercise will be systematically implemented based on the multi-year training plan approved last year, in accordance with the 2023 Camp David Summit.

They agreed to conduct a trilateral tabletop exercise (TTX) to discuss effective deterrence and response measures against a variety of threats on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region.

Recognizing the importance of continually advancing trilateral cooperation after the 2023 Camp David Summit, the three officials decided to establish a "Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework" this year to institutionalize security cooperation, including high-level consultations, information sharing, trilateral exercises, and defense exchanges.

South Korea and Japan emphasized the importance of bilateral relations and trilateral cooperation in protecting and promoting their common security objectives.

The three officials agreed to continue strengthening trilateral cooperation for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific region, and beyond.