Quotes of the Day:

"We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth." 

- John F. Kennedy

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." 

- Thomas Jefferson

"Today the man who is the real risk-taker is anonymous and nonheroic. He is the one trying to make institutions work." 

- John William Ward

Here are all the key statements from the Summit. I have scanned the major US, Japan, and Korean publications for reports on the summit and some of the key articles are pasted below. There is a lot of overlap. The coverage is positive across the board. The last three articles are negative views from the opposition and progressive leftist Hankyoreh Ilbo in Korea. However, the three pieces were written before the summit but they had sufficient foreknowledge of the statements to write their negative assessments (as we would expect them to).

1. FACT SHEET: The Trilateral Leaders’ Summit at Camp David

2. Camp David Principles

3. The Spirit of Camp David: Joint Statement of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States

4. Remarks by President Biden, President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea, and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan in Joint Press Conference

5. Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with Prime Minister Kishida of Japan

6. Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea

7. Commitment to Consult (JAROKUS)

8. Yoon, Biden, Kishida commit to immediately consult in event of common threat

9. S. Korea-U.S.-Japan summit outcomes herald deeper, consistent security cooperation against N. Korean, other challenges: analysts

10. U.S., Japan and South Korea Boost Alliance to Counter China, North Korea

11. Biden declares ‘new era’ of partnership with South Korea and Japan

12. Looming Over a New Security Pact: China, North Korea and Donald Trump

13.  Experts react: The US-Japan-South Korea summit was ‘historic.’ But what did it accomplish?

14. CNAS Responds: The Spirit of Camp David: Joint Statement of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States

15. At Camp David, Biden hails ‘next era of partnership’ between U.S., South Korea and Japan

16. Biden brokers new defense commitments between Japan, South Korea

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

18. Seoul, Washington, Tokyo to bolster cooperation in supply chains, new tech, financial stability

19. Yoon, Biden agree to closely cooperate to strengthen credibility of US extended deterrence

20. Trilateral summit commitments will effectively bolster cooperation to alliance-like levels: experts

21. U.S., Japan, South Korea agree to hold annual talks after Camp David summit

22. Japan, South Korea and U.S. inaugurate a 'new era' of cooperation

23. Fixation on trilateral military cooperation with US, Japan puts Korean peace last

24. [Editorial] Yoon’s risky gamble of racing toward military cooperation with US, Japan

25. Staring down the barrel of an East Asian NATO: Korea, US, Japan to “engage” in event of security crisis

1. FACT SHEET: The Trilateral Leaders’ Summit at Camp David

Some substantive agreements.

The question is whether JAROKUS is sufficiently institutionalized to overcome the existing historical friction between the ROK and Japan and the domestic opposition within each nation (e.g., when the pendulum swings and the political opposition comes to power in the ROK and the US).

FACT SHEET: The Trilateral Leaders’ Summit at Camp David | The White House

whitehouse.gov · by The White House · August 18, 2023

President Biden welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Kishida and Republic of Korea (ROK) President Yoon to a historic trilateral summit at Camp David, the first-ever stand-alone summit of Leaders from the United States, Japan, and the ROK, and the first summit of foreign leaders at Camp David during the Biden-Harris Administration. The Leaders jointly inaugurated a new era of trilateral partnership and reaffirmed that cooperation between the United States, Japan, and the ROK advances the security and prosperity of our people, the Indo-Pacific region, and the world.

This fact sheet provides an overview of the understandings that were affirmed or reaffirmed during the Summit, as well as plans for further cooperative activities between the United States, Japan, and the ROK.

HIGH-LEVEL TRILATERAL CONSULTATIONS

Today’s Summit is the fourth meeting between President Biden, Prime Minister Kishida, and President Yoon over the fourteen months. The Summit is the culmination of numerous meetings between Foreign Ministers, Defense Ministers, National Security Advisors, and other senior officials across the three governments. Today, the three Leaders reaffirmed the critical importance of regular, high-level consultations between our countries.

• Commitment to Consult: The Leaders announced their governments’ commitment to consult with each other in an expeditious manner to coordinate their responses to regional challenges, provocations, and threats that affect their collective interests and security.
• Annual Leaders’ Meeting: The Leaders decided to meet in-person at least annually to build on the momentum of the Camp David Trilateral Leaders’ Summit. At these meetings, Leaders will share assessments on a range of geostrategic issues and discuss opportunities for further trilateral cooperation.
• Annual Meetings Between Foreign Ministers, Defense Ministers, Commerce and Industry Ministers, and National Security Advisors: At least annually, foreign ministers from the United States, Japan, and the ROK will meet trilaterally with their counterparts; defense ministers will meet trilaterally with their counterparts; commerce and industry ministers will meet trilaterally with their counterparts; and national security advisors will meet trilaterally with their counterparts. The three countries will rotate hosting responsibilities of these separate, annual meetings, all focused on strengthening the trilateral relationship across domains. The three countries will also hold the first trilateral meeting between finance ministers.
• Annual Trilateral Indo-Pacific Dialogue: The Leaders decided that their governments would initiate an annual Assistant Secretary-led Indo-Pacific Dialogue focused on coordinating implementation of their respective Indo-Pacific approaches, with a particular emphasis on partnership with Southeast Asian and Pacific Island countries.

STRENGTHENING SECURITY COOPERATION

The United States, Japan, and the ROK are committed to further strengthening trilateral security cooperation, including through enhanced trilateral defense exercises, improved information sharing, and increased cooperation on ballistic missile defense, including against the DPRK’s missile threat. The three Leaders affirmed ongoing progress to regularize defensive exercises that contribute to strengthening trilateral responses to DPRK threats, resume maritime interdiction exercises and anti-piracy exercises, and expand trilateral cooperation in other areas, including disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.

• Multi-year Trilateral Exercise Plan: Building upon the understandings reached by Defense Ministers in June 2023 at Shangri-La, as well as the recent successful trilateral ballistic missile defense and anti-submarine warfare exercises, the United States, Japan, and the ROK decided on a multi-year trilateral framework that includes annual, named, multi-domain trilateral exercises, which will constitute an unprecedented level of trilateral defense cooperation.
• Improved Cooperation on Ballistic Missile Defense: The United States, Japan, and the ROK affirmed the decision to activate a data-sharing mechanism to exchange real-time missile warning data that would improve the detection and assessment of DPRK missile launches, building upon the commitment made by Leaders at their meeting in Phnom Penh last year. The three leaders committed to operationalizing this mechanism by the end of 2023. This cooperation will strengthen our data sharing and enable all three countries to establish enhanced capabilities that will contribute to peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific.
• Trilateral Working Group on DPRK Cyber Activities: The United States, Japan, and the ROK decided to establish a new trilateral Working Group on DPRK Cyber Activities comprised of the U.S., Japanese, and ROK interagencies to coordinate efforts to counter DPRK illicit revenue generation and malicious cyber activities. The Working Group will focus on sharing intelligence; coordinating responses to the DPRK’s cryptocurrency use, theft, and laundering; addressing the DPRK’s use of IT workers for revenue generation through diplomatic and industry engagement; and disrupting malicious cyber actor operations.
• Enhanced Information Sharing and Coordination: The three Leaders affirmed the importance of increased information sharing, including the utilization of the 2014 U.S.-Japan-ROK Trilateral Information Sharing Arrangement and their respective bilateral General Security of Military Information Agreements. The United States, Japan, and the ROK will leverage existing secure lines of communications and continue building and institutionalizing respective communication channels.
• Countering Foreign Information Manipulation: Recognizing the increased threat posed by foreign information manipulation and the misuse of surveillance technology, the United States, Japan, and the ROK will discuss ways to coordinate efforts to counter disinformation.

BROADENING COOPERATION IN THE INDO-PACIFIC

As Indo-Pacific nations, the United States, Japan, and the ROK are committed to taking actions to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, along with partners in the region. They aim to bolster existing regional architecture, such as ASEAN and the Pacific Islands Forum, and enhance our respective capacity building and humanitarian efforts through greater coordination, including through the Partners in the Blue Pacific, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, and the Friends of the Mekong.

• Trilateral Development Finance Cooperation: The development finance institutions of the United States, Japan, and ROK – the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) – are signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen their cooperation to mobilize financing for quality infrastructure, including information and communications technology (ICT); carbon neutrality; and resilient supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
• Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation Framework: The United States, Japan, and the ROK are establishing a trilateral maritime mechanism to synchronize partner capacity building in Southeast Asia and Pacific Island countries, with a focus on Coast Guard and maritime law enforcement capacity building and maritime domain awareness.
• Development and Humanitarian Response Policy Dialogue: In October, the United States, Japan, and the ROK will convene a senior-level trilateral development and humanitarian response policy dialogue between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Japanese and ROK Ministries of Foreign Affairs. This will advance concrete discussions to coordinate assistance to regions across the globe, including the Indo-Pacific. To bridge policy and practice, USAID the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will also collaboratively assist the development of partner countries by focusing on their needs.

DEEPENING ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION

The United States, Japan, and the ROK are strengthening trilateral cooperation to reinforce the rules-based economic order to enhance economic security; promote sustainable, resilient, and inclusive economic growth; and expand prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific and the world, building on shared leadership in the Minerals Security Partnership, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity negotiations. The Leaders committed to focusing efforts for trilateral cooperation, including through further Trilateral Economic Security Dialogues, on early warning systems for supply chain resilience; working to coordinate export controls on advanced technology; advancing their efforts to develop international standards and to ensure safe, secure, and trustworthy on artificial intelligence; coordinating infrastructure assistance in the Indo-Pacific region; ensuring financial stability as well as orderly and well-functioning financial markets; expanding collaboration on critical minerals; and working together to address economic coercion.

• Women’s Empowerment Initiative: The United States, Japan, and the ROK highlighted the importance of women’s economic empowerment, and decided to continue building on existing trilateral initiatives on this topic through programs and events designed to build government, civil society, and corporate partnerships that advance women and girls in STEM fields, domestic care infrastructure, and women’s full and meaningful participation in all sectors of society.
• Supply Chain Early Warning System (EWS) Pilot: The United States, Japan, and the ROK decided to launch a pilot EWS, including through periodic information exchanges across their respective missions in a select set of countries, to complement early warning mechanisms such as with the European Union, and additional mechanisms being considered as part of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity. They will identify priority products and materials—such as critical minerals, and rechargeable batteries—and establish mechanisms to rapidly share information on disruptions to crucial supply chains.
• Trilateral National Laboratories Cooperation: The United States, Japan, and the ROK will drive new trilateral cooperation between the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratories and counterpart laboratories—supported by a budget of at least $6 million—to advance knowledge, strengthen scientific collaboration, and spearhead innovation in support of the three countries’ shared interests. Scientists and innovators from the three countries will advance collaborative projects on priority critical and emerging technology areas; potential areas of cooperation include advanced computing, artificial intelligence, materials research, and climate and earthquake modeling among other technology areas.
• Disruptive Technology Protection Network: The United States, Japan, and the ROK decided to expand collaboration on technology protection measures, including expanding information-sharing and the exchange of best practices across the three countries’ enforcement agencies. The three countries will build connections between the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Commerce-led Disruptive Technology Strike Force representatives and Japan and ROK counterparts through an inaugural exchange later this year.
• Technology Standards Cooperation: The United States, Japan, and the ROK will collaborate on advancing common principles to ensure safe, secure, and responsible development and applications of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology will seek to advance a bilateral framework with ROK counterparts to complement and strengthen ongoing efforts with Japan in multilateral fora such as the International Standards Cooperation Network.

EXPANDING GLOBAL HEALTH AND PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE COOPERATION

The United States, Japan, and the ROK are committed to protecting the health of their citizens and promoting global health security in the Indo-Pacific through joint research and data sharing. They are also committed to strengthening people-to-people ties through educational and professional exchanges and cooperative efforts that build capacity among the leaders of tomorrow to confront global challenges together.

• Cancer Moonshot Cooperation: The United States, Japan, and the ROK committed to reinvigorate trilateral cooperation on the U.S. Cancer Moonshot, beginning with a trilateral cancer dialogue, led by high-level representatives from their respective national cancer institutes. This new initiative builds on a trilateral meeting of health experts that then-Vice President Biden hosted in 2016. The dialogue would enhance cooperation in the sharing of epidemiological data, research, exchange programs, clinical trials, regulations, academic partnerships, and the development of cutting-edge cancer therapies.
• The U.S.-ROK-Japan Trilateral Global Leadership Youth Summit: The Department of State will sponsor the first annual trilateral youth summit to be held in Busan in early 2024. The summit will bring together emerging Korean, Japanese, and American youth leaders to develop global leadership skills and share perspectives on global issues that affect the trilateral partnership.
• Trilateral Technology Leaders Training Program: The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies intends to host training programs on technology-policy issues for mid-career government officials from the United States, Japan, and the ROK. This program is designed to train the next generation of leaders to make critical decisions about how the technologies of the future are governed.

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whitehouse.gov · by The White House · August 18, 2023

2. Camp David Principles

This is the trilateral security pact.

Key points (note my bias is address a free and unified Korea [Japan is signing on to unification] - also note denuclearization of the DPRK - not denuclearization of the Korean peninsula - many Korea watchers have argued for this since both Moon and Trump were duped by Kim in 2018.):

We stand united in our commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. We remain committed to dialogue with the DPRK with no preconditions. We seek to address human rights and humanitarian issues, including the immediate resolution of the issues of abductions, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war. We support a unified Korean Peninsula that is free and at peace.

If I were on the ROK/US Combined Forces Command Staff I could find a lot to work with here.

Camp David Principles | The White House

whitehouse.gov · by The White House · August 18, 2023

We, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, President Yoon Suk Yeol, and President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., affirm a shared vision for our partnership as well as for the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Our partnership is based on a bedrock of shared values, mutual respect, and a unified commitment to advance the prosperity of our three countries, the region, and the globe. As we move forward, we intend our partnership to be guided by these principles:

As Indo-Pacific nations, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the United States will continue to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific based on a respect for international law, shared norms, and common values. We strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.

The purpose of our trilateral security cooperation is and will remain to promote and enhance peace and stability throughout the region.

Our commitment to the region includes our unwavering support for ASEAN centrality and unity and the ASEAN-led regional architecture. We are committed to partnering closely with ASEAN to advance implementation and mainstreaming of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

We are determined to work closely with Pacific Island countries and the Pacific Islands Forum as the region’s leading institution, consistent with the Pacific Way.

We stand united in our commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. We remain committed to dialogue with the DPRK with no preconditions. We seek to address human rights and humanitarian issues, including the immediate resolution of the issues of abductions, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war. We support a unified Korean Peninsula that is free and at peace.

We reaffirm the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the international community. Recognizing that there is no change in our basic positions on Taiwan, we call for a peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.

As leading global economies, we seek continued opportunity and prosperity for our peoples, the region, and the globe through open and fair economic practices that promote financial stability as well as orderly and well-functioning financial markets.

Our technology cooperation will contribute to the vibrance and dynamism of the Indo-Pacific as we cooperate towards open, accessible, and secure technology approaches based on mutual confidence, trust, and respect for relevant international law and standards. We will seek to develop standard practices and norms between our countries and within international bodies to guide the development, use, and transfer of critical and emerging technologies.

Our countries are committed to cooperation to address climate change and will work together to provide leadership and solutions through relevant international institutions. We are committed to enhancing our development and humanitarian response cooperation to collectively overcome global issues and the root causes of insecurity.

We are unflinching in our commitment to uphold the principles of the UN Charter, particularly those relating to sovereignty, territorial integrity, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the use of force. A threat to these principles anywhere undermines respect for them everywhere. As responsible state actors, we seek to promote the rule of law and to ensure regional and international security so all can flourish.

Our countries are dedicated to honoring our commitments to non-proliferation as parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We reaffirm that achieving a world without nuclear weapons is a common goal for the international community, and we continue to make every effort to ensure that nuclear weapons are never used again.

Our countries are only as strong as our societies. We reaffirm our commitment to promoting the full and meaningful participation of women in our societies and to human rights and dignity for all.

We announce these shared principles at the start of our new chapter together, with the belief that they will continue to guide our trilateral partnership for years to come.

Above all, we recognize that we are stronger, and the Indo-Pacific is stronger, when Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States stand as one.

###

whitehouse.gov · by The White House · August 18, 2023

3. The Spirit of Camp David: Joint Statement of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States

The Spirit of Camp David: I think it is a unique name. Will it catch on? I hope so.

I think this is a very visionary document with a lot of substance that has the chance of keeping JAROKUS together.

Key point:

We also commit to strengthening cooperation to promote respect for human rights in the DPRK and reaffirm a shared commitment to the immediate resolution of the issues of abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war. 

We express support for the goal of the ROK’s Audacious Initiative and support a unified Korean Peninsula that is free and at peace.

Unification is addressed in both the Camp David Principles and the Spirit of Camp David. How much media attention with this draw? Little to none. But this is not a throwaway statement. Just as human rights up front is a not throw away statement.

As a reminder some 78,000 ROK military POWs were never returned by the north at the time of the Armistice Agreement.

The Spirit of Camp David: Joint Statement of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States | The White House

whitehouse.gov · by The White House · August 18, 2023

We, the leaders of Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the United States, convened at Camp David to inaugurate a new era of trilateral partnership. We do so at a time of unparalleled opportunity for our countries and our citizens, and at a hinge point of history, when geopolitical competition, the climate crisis, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and nuclear provocations test us. This is a moment that requires unity and coordinated action from true partners, and it is a moment we intend to meet, together. Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States are determined to align our collective efforts because we believe our trilateral partnership advances the security and prosperity of all our people, the region, and the world. In this spirit, Pre­sident Biden commended President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida for their courageous leadership in transforming relations between Japan and the ROK. With the renewed bonds of friendship—and girded by the ironclad U.S.-Japan and U.S.-ROK alliances—each of our bilateral relationships is now stronger than ever. So too is our trilateral relationship.

On this historic occasion, we commit to expand our cooperation trilaterally and raise our shared ambition to a new horizon, across domains and across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. We will strengthen our economies, provide resilience and prosperity, support the free and open international order based on the rule of law, and bolster regional and global peace and security, especially as current and incoming members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). We will strengthen our coordination on promoting democracy and protecting human rights. And we will enhance strategic coordination between the U.S.-Japan and U.S.-ROK alliances and bring our trilateral security cooperation to new heights. As we embark together in this new era, our shared values will be our guide and a free and open Indo-Pacific, in which our half-billion people are safe and prosperous, will be our collective purpose.

Today, we declare openly that we are united in a common purpose to strengthen our shared region. Our mandate is to ensure Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States are aligned in our objectives and in our actions, generating the common capacity required to ensure that the Indo-Pacific is thriving, connected, resilient, stable, and secure. Ours is a partnership built not just for our people but for the entire Indo-Pacific.

We announce our governments’ commitment to consult with each other in an expeditious manner to coordinate our responses to regional challenges, provocations, and threats that affect our collective interests and security. Through these consultations we intend to share information, align our messaging, and coordinate response actions. To this end we will improve our trilateral communication mechanism to facilitate regular and timely communication between our countries, including our national leadership. We will hold trilateral meetings between our leaders, foreign ministers, defense ministers, and national security advisors at least annually, complementing existing trilateral meetings between our respective foreign and defense ministries. We will also hold the first trilateral meeting between our finance ministers as well as launch a new commerce and industry ministers track that will meet annually. We will also launch an annual Trilateral Indo-Pacific Dialogue to coordinate implementation of our Indo-Pacific approaches and to continually identify new areas for common action. Recognizing the increased threat posed by foreign information manipulation and misuse of surveillance technology, we will also discuss ways to coordinate our efforts to counter disinformation. We welcome the trilateral development policy dialogue planned in October to advance concrete discussions for deepening development policy coordination. We are resolute in our determination to uphold regional security, strengthen Indo-Pacific engagement, and promote common prosperity.

We wholeheartedly reaffirm ASEAN centrality and unity and our support for the ASEAN-led regional architecture. We are committed to working closely with ASEAN partners to support robust implementation and mainstreaming of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. We are collectively working to support sustainable energy and promoting water security and climate resilience in the Mekong River Basin. We reaffirm, too, our support of Pacific Island countries and intend to work in genuine partnership with the Pacific in a transparent and effective manner, consistent with the Pacific Way, that strengthens individual countries and the Pacific region. We plan to coordinate regional capacity-building efforts to ASEAN and Pacific Island countries to ensure that they are mutually reinforcing and maximally beneficial to our valued partners, including through capacity building efforts in cybersecurity and financial integrity and our new Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation Framework.

We share concerns about actions inconsistent with the rules-based international order, which undermine regional peace and prosperity. Recalling the publicly announced position of each of our countries regarding the dangerous and aggressive behavior supporting unlawful maritime claims that we have recently witnessed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the South China Sea, we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific. In particular, we steadfastly oppose the militarization of reclaimed features; the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels; and coercive activities. In addition, we are concerned about illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. We reiterate our firm commitment to international law, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The July 2016 award in the South China Sea arbitration sets out the legal basis for the peaceful resolution of maritime conflicts between the parties to that proceeding. We reaffirm the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the international community. There is no change in our basic positions on Taiwan, and we call for a peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.

Furthermore, we reaffirm our commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions and urge the DPRK to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. We call on all UN Member States to fully implement all relevant UNSC resolutions. We strongly condemn the DPRK’s unprecedented number of ballistic missile launches, including multiple intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launches and conventional military actions that pose a grave threat to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. We express concern regarding the DPRK’s illicit cyber activities that fund its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs. We announce the establishment of a new trilateral working group to drive our cooperation, including with the international community, to combat DPRK cyber threats and block its cyber-enabled sanctions evasion. Japan, the ROK, and the United States remain committed to reestablishing dialogue with the DPRK with no preconditions. We also commit to strengthening cooperation to promote respect for human rights in the DPRK and reaffirm a shared commitment to the immediate resolution of the issues of abductees, detainees, and unrepatriated prisoners of war. We express support for the goal of the ROK’s Audacious Initiative and support a unified Korean Peninsula that is free and at peace.

The United States unequivocally reaffirms that its extended deterrence commitments to both Japan and the ROK are ironclad and backed by the full range of U.S. capabilities. Our three countries announce today that we intend to hold annual, named, multi-domain trilateral exercises on a regular basis to enhance our coordinated capabilities and cooperation. In mid-August, our three countries conducted a maritime ballistic missile defense warning test for the real-time sharing of missile warning data to demonstrate our ability to deter and respond to the DPRK’s advancing nuclear and missile threats more effectively. By the end of 2023, we intend to operationalize our sharing of missile warning data on the DPRK in real-time in fulfillment of commitments reflected in the November 2022 Phnom Penh Statement, and our countries have taken initial steps to test our technical capabilities for real-time sharing of missile warning data. We are committed to pursuing enhanced ballistic missile defense cooperation to counter DPRK nuclear and missile threats. We reaffirm that achieving a world without nuclear weapons is a common goal for the international community, and we continue to make every effort to ensure that nuclear weapons are never used again.

Even as we deepen our security partnership, we will also maintain focus on building robust cooperation in the economic security and technology spheres, leveraging the unique capabilities that each of our countries brings to bear. In implementing our commitments in the Phnom Penh Statement, our national security teams have met twice under the auspices of the Trilateral Economic Security Dialogue to advance our shared objectives. We are now cooperating trilaterally on supply chain resilience, particularly on semiconductors and batteries, as well as on technology security and standards, clean energy and energy security, biotechnology, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and scientific research.

Going forward, our countries are committed to working closely together to launch early warning system pilots to expand information sharing and enhance policy coordination on possible disruptions to global supply chains as well as to better prepare us to confront and overcome economic coercion. We will continue to develop the Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Supply-chain Enhancement (RISE) to help developing countries play larger roles in the supply chains of clean energy products. We will also enhance cooperation on technology protection measures to prevent the cutting-edge technologies we develop from being illegally exported or stolen abroad. To that end, we will conduct inaugural exchanges between the U.S. Disruptive Technology Strike Force and Japanese and ROK counterparts to deepen information-sharing and coordination across our enforcement agencies. We will also continue to strengthen trilateral cooperation on export controls to prevent our technologies from being diverted for military or dual-use capabilities that could potentially threaten international peace and security.

In tandem with technology protection measures, we will bolster combined and collaborative scientific and technological innovation, including by pursuing new trilateral National Labs cooperation and expanding trilateral collaborative research and development and personnel exchanges, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) sectors. In addition, we seek to expand trilateral cooperation on open radio access network (RAN) and further enhance trilateral dialogue on space security cooperation, particularly regarding threats in the space domain, national space strategies, and the responsible use of space. We acknowledge the crucial role of AI as a transformative technology and affirm our respective efforts to help shape international governance on AI and ensure safe, secure, and trustworthy AI, in line with our shared democratic values and as the basis for international discussions on frontier AI systems.

We are fully committed to continuing to eliminate barriers to economic participation and build diverse, accessible, and inclusive economies in which all our people—including women and marginalized groups—can succeed. We will work to further strengthen our people-to-people ties, including among our young people and students. We will continue our cooperation toward the successful conclusion of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) negotiations, and President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida welcome the United States’ hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum this year. President Yoon and President Biden applaud Japan’s strong and principled leadership at the G7 Hiroshima Summit to respond to challenges that the international community is facing. Together, we are committed to accelerate the clean energy transition; mobilize financing for quality infrastructure and resilient supply chains, including through trilateral collaboration among our development finance institutions as well as through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII); and promote sustainable economic growth and financial stability, as well as orderly and well-functioning financial markets. We will continue our ambitious agenda to evolve the multilateral development banks to make them more responsive to shared global challenges. The Leaders committed to explore delivering new World Bank Group concessional resources and headroom to fight poverty by addressing global challenges in line with its forthcoming concessionality framework and enhancing resources for the poorest countries, including crisis response.

We are united in our support for Ukraine. We reaffirm our commitment to stand with Ukraine against Russia’s unprovoked and brutal war of aggression that has shaken the foundation of the international order. We commit to continue providing assistance to Ukraine, imposing coordinated, robust sanctions on Russia, and accelerating the reduction of dependency on Russian energy. We believe the lasting lesson from this catastrophic war of aggression must be the international community’s abiding will to uphold the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the peaceful resolution of disputes. We reaffirm our view that when these foundational principles are rejected anywhere, they represent a threat to our region. We are unified in our intent to ensure that no such egregious acts are ever perpetrated again.

We depart Camp David with a shared resolve and optimism for the future. The opportunity that lies before us was not guaranteed—it was embraced. It is the product of a determination, fiercely held by each of us, that if we are to deliver a peaceful and prosperous future for our people, and the people of the Indo-Pacific, we must more often stand together. Today, we declare that a new chapter in our trilateral relationship has begun. We are aligned in our vision; undaunted in the face of our era’s greatest challenges; and, most of all, united in our belief that Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States can meet those challenges together, now and in the future.

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whitehouse.gov · by The White House · August 18, 2023

4. Remarks by President Biden, President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea, and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan in Joint Press Conference

All three seemed to be "on message."

Remarks by President Biden, President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea, and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan in Joint Press Conference | Camp David, MD | The White House

whitehouse.gov · by The White House · August 19, 2023

Commanding Officers Loop

Camp David, Maryland

3:14 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to Camp David.

If I seem like I’m happy, it’s because I am. (Laughter.) This has been a great, great meeting.

Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, I — we meet in this historic place to make a historic moment. And I believe that to be true. The — this is a new era in partnership between Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States — our new Camp David trilat. (Laughs.) That’s what we have here.

And — but before we dive into the progress we’ve made today — if you excuse, we used to say in the Senate, “a point of personal privilege” — I want to start by expressing my appreciation for the contribution that your countries have made toward the relief following the devastating wildfires in Hawaii. I want to thank you both on behalf of the American people.

I also want to note that my team is closely monitoring Hurricane Hilary, which is — has the potential to bring significant rain and flooding to southern California. FEMA has pre-positioned personnel and supplies in the region, and they’re ready to respond as needed. I urge everyone — everyone in the path of this storm to take precautions and listen to the guidance from state and local officials.

And you’ve heard me say it before: The Republic of Korea and Japan are capable and indispensable allies.

Now, to the purpose of why we’re here.

America’s commitment to both countries is ironclad, and my personal commitment to bringing these three nations together was real from the very beginning.

Since last summer, we’ve met on the margins of the NATO Summit in Spain, the ASEAN Summit in Cambodia, and the G7 Summit in Japan. And today, we’ve made history with the first-ever standalone summit between the leaders of our three countries, as well as our commitment to meet together on the leader level annually and to have all of our relative Cabinet-member people meet on a regular basis for — from this point on; not just this year, not next year — forever. That’s the i- — that’s the intention.

And so, I want to recognize the important work that both of you have done and the political courage — and I mean this sincerely — the political courage that you’ve both demonstrated to resolve difficult issues that would’ve stood in the way for a long time of a close relationship between Japan and Korea and with the United States.

Your leadership, with the full support of the United States, has brought us here, because each of you understands that our world stands at an inflection point — a point where we’re called to lead in new ways: to work together, to stand together. And today, I’m proud to say our nations are answering that call.

First, we’re elevating our trilateral defense collaboration to deliver in the Indo-Pacific region. That includes launching annual multidomain military exercises, bringing our trilateral defense cooperation to an unprecedented levels.

We’re doubling down on information sharing, including on the DPRK’s missile launches and cyber activities, strengthening our ballistic missile defense cooperation.

And, critically — critically, we’ve all committed to swiftly consult with each other in response to threats to any one of our countries from whatever source it occurs. That means we’ll have a hotline to share information and coordinate our responses whenever there is a crisis in the region or affecting any one of our countries.

And today, we’ve reaffirmed — all reaffirmed our shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and addressing ec- — and addressing economic coercion.

We’re going to continue to counter threats from the DPRK, including cryptocurrency money laundering to the tune of billions of dollars; potential arms transfer in support of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine.

And together — together, we’re going to stand up for international law, freedom of navigation, and the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea.

Second, we’re expanding our economic cooperation to build an Ino — an Indo-Pacific that is peaceful and prosperous.

Today, we’ve committed to launch a new — what we call a “Supply Chain Early Warning System” — excuse me, a Supply Chain Early Warning System Pilot and — which will alert our nations to disruptions of certain products and materials, like critical minerals or batteries, so we can get ahead of the issues as we — they appear with the experience — that we’ve experienced in — during the pandemic.

(Referring to a piece of audio equipment.) Excuse me, this is falling off. There you go.

And — and building on the G7-led Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, we’re deepening cooperation between our development finance institutions to mobilize more financing for quality infrastructure and secure communications technology to help low-income and middle-income countries throughout the region take on the challenges that matter most to their people.

And finally, our partnership is about building a better future for our people. That’s why we’re deepening our cooperation on global health and launching a trilateral expert exchange in support of the U.S. Cancer Moonshot initiative. That’s going to, I believe, change cancer as we know it.

It matters a great deal to me and to families all across our three countries. In the United States, we are revolutionizing the way we do cancer research. And together, the three of us, I am confident we can harness our shared spirit of innovation and end cancer as we know it.

We’re also launching a new collaboration between our National Laboratories and advance our science knowledge and technological capabilities together. As we do, we’ll work in lockstep to set the standards for safe, secure, and trustworthy emerging technology, including artificial intelligence, which a lot of work has to be done on.

Let me close with this. Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, this is the first summit I’ve hosted at Camp David as President. I can think of no more fitting location to begin the next era — our next era of cooperation — a place that has long symbolized the power of new beginnings and new possibilities.

In the months and years ahead, we’re going to continue to seize those possibilities together — unwavering in our unity and unmatched in our resolve. This is not about a day, a week, or month. This is about decades and decades of relationships that we’re building.

Mr. Prime Minister and Mr. President, I want to thank you for your leader, and I — leadership — and I say it again — for your courage that brought us together. And I look forward to working with you both of you ahead.

Now I yield to — who am I yielding to?

MODERATOR: Distinguished guests —

PRESIDENT BIDEN: There you go.

MODERATOR: — the President of the Republic of Korea.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: We needed the voice of God to tell us that. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT YOON: (As interpreted.) First of all, I’d like to thank President Biden for his warm hospitality. It is a great pleasure to visit Camp David along with Prime Minister Kishida. Camp David is a site that bears historical significance where important diplomatic decisions were made at critical junctures of modern history.

In order to respond to today’s unprecedented polycrisis, the ties between our three countries, which are the most advanced liberal democracies in the region and major economies leading advanced technology and scientific innovation, are more important than ever.

From this moment on, Camp David will be remembered as a historic place where the Republic of Korea, the United States, and Japan proclaimed that we will bolster the rules-based international order and play key roles to enhance regional security and prosperity based on our shared values of freedom, human rights, and rule of law.

Today, we, the three leaders, held the very first standalone trilateral summit marking a new chapter in our trilateral cooperation. Today, we have agreed on the Camp David principles that will function as the enduring guidelines for our trilateral cooperation. In addition, we have developed the Spirit of Camp David, which is a document embodying the vision of our trilateral cooperation and ways to translate our will to cooperate into action.

First of all, to facilitate the stable development of our trilateral cooperation, we have built the institutional basis for the trilateral cooperation at multiple levels and sectors. In addition to making our trilateral summit regular, we have agreed to have our governments’ personnel at all levels — including foreign ministers, defense ministers, and national security advisors — meet every year to closely coordinate our trilateral cooperation.

In particular, we, the three leaders, have agreed to establish a communication channel so we can swiftly coordinate and respond together in case an urgent issue occurs in the region.

Furthermore, to bolster our trilateral strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, our three countries will establish the ROK, U.S., Japan Indo-Pacific dialogue, which will discover new areas of cooperation. Also, along with the economic security dialogue led by our three countries’ NSCs, we have agreed to found a consultative body for development policy coordination and also build cooperation frameworks in various sectors including global health and women empowerment.

We have also decided to hold our ROK, U.S., and Japan Global Leadership Youth Summit to strengthen ties between our future generations.

Second, we have agreed to step up our security cooperation to ensure our people’s safety and peace in the region based on the now institutionalized Cooperation Framework.

First of all, to this end, we have consulted on practical ways to cooperate, aimed at improving our joint response capabilities to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, which have become sophisticated more than ever. The real-time sharing of DPRK missile warning data, which was agreed upon during the Phnom Penh summit last November, will be activated within this year. And this will make a significant progress in strengthening our three nations’ capabilities to detect and track North Korea’s missiles.

In countering the DPRK’s nuclear and missile threats, we concurred the trilateral defense exercises were crucial. As such, annual plans will be established for the ROK, U.S., Japan drills we committed to.

In the meantime, as North Korea funds its nuclear and missile programs by exploiting labor and human rights, efforts to monitor and stem such activities will be redoubled. To deter the DPRK’s illicit funding activities, a new trilateral working group on DPRK cyber activities will be established.

Moreover, Korea, the U.S., and Japan, in their pursuit of Indo-Pacific strategies, oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force.

Respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, the peaceful settlement of disputes, among others, undergird a rules-based international order that we resolve to safeguard by intensifying our collaboration.

As part of such endeavors, our three nations agreed to support ASEAN and Pacific Island countries with their maritime security capacity-building efforts.

Furthermore, to help Ukrainians regain freedom and pursue reconstruction, we are determined to increase our three-way coordination.

Next, we, the three leaders, discussed how to work together to promote shared prosperity and future growth. First of all, in the field of economic security directly linked to our national economies of the three countries, we will work to expand our strategic partnership.

To ensure global supply chain resilience and energy security, we pledged to bolster our trilateral cooperation. To manage global supply chain risks, an early warning system will be established together.

In addition, we decided to broaden our collaboration in the field of cutting-edge technologies to secure future growth engines. Specifically, in AI, quantum, bio, and next-generation telecommunications and space sectors, cooperation among our three countries will deliver powerful synergies.

Korea, the U.S., and Japan committed to have their national laboratories expand joint R&D and personnel exchanges, providing a cornerstone for the three countries’ leadership in science and technology innovation.

Moreover, for the sake of shared prosperity in the Asia Pacific, in line with the needs of ASEAN and Pacific Island countries, effective support measures will be sought and implemented collectively.

Today, we, the three leaders, affirmed our commitment to the trilateral partnership towards a new era and possibilities thereof.

Grounded in the core values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, a strong alliance of values among Korea, the U.S., and Japan will help build a world that’s more peaceful and prosperous by serving as a sturdy foundation.

Mr. President, I thank you once again for your hospitality. Next time, I hope that we will be reunited in the Republic of Korea.

Thank you. (Applause.)

MODERATOR: Distinguished guests, the Prime Minister of Japan.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: President.

PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA: (As interpreted.) Thank you. First of all, in Maui, Hawaii, wildfires caused devastating damage. I express my sympathy, and I really pray for the peace of those who have lost their lives.

In order to offer support, a total of $2 million worth of support by our country has been decided. And the full — the relief for the affected people and for the earliest recovery of the affected areas, Japan will proactively do our contribution.

Today, I have visited Camp David, and the three of us have spent a truly meaningful time. I expressed my heartfelt gratitude to Joe for the kind invitation.

Together with Joe and President Yoon, this has been a precious opportunity for myself to further deepen the relationship of trust and confidence. For the first time ever, instead of in the sidelines of multilateral conferences, we have held the trilateral summit on a standalone basis.

Here at Camp David, numerous historical meetings have taken place. And it is a huge honor to have printed a fresh page in its history with this meeting.

The foundation of the trilateral collaboration are the solid, firm, bilateral relationships. The three of us have understood this more than anyone else and have executed our understanding in practice.

In January of this year, I visited the United States, and later, President Yoon visited Japan in March and then to the U.S. in April. And in May, I myself traveled to South Korea, and we have bolstered our mutual relationship.

At the moment, the free and open international order, based on the rule of law, is in crisis. Due to Russia’s aggression of Ukraine, the international order is shaken from its foundation. The unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas are continuing. And the nuclear and missile threat of North Korea is only becoming ever larger.

Under such circumstances, to make our trilateral strategic collaboration blossom and bloom is only logical and almost inevitable and is required in this era.

The three of us here today declare our determination to pioneer the new era of Japan, U.S., ROK partnership.

How we will advance the cooperation of our three countries going forward, I will discuss from three perspectives.

Firstly, the coordination between the Japan-U.S. and the U.S.-ROK alliances will be reinforced, and trilateral security cooperation will be brought to a new height.

At this meeting, we agreed to hold the Japan-U.S.-ROK multidomain joint exercises on an annual basis. Furthermore, regarding the real-time sharing of North Korea’s missile warning information that we agreed last November, the initial steps have been implemented and an important first step has been advanced towards the launch of the mechanism by the end of the year.

We also agreed on the establishment of the working group on North Korea cyber activities, considered to be the source of finance for nuclear and missile development and on other matters.

The second point is the promotion of cooperation between the United States, Japan, and South Korea and the expansion of their areas of cooperation regarding the response to North Korea.

In addition to strengthening regional deterrence and response capabilities, the three countries agreed to strengthen cooperation for the full implementation of sanctions and to work closely together in the U.N. Security Council, where all three countries will be members in 2024.

At the same time, we shared our recognition that the way is open for dialogue with North Korea. I then stated that the abduction issue is a humanitarian issue with time constraints and once again received the strong support of Joe and President Yoon for the immediate resolution of this matter.

We also agreed to work together through the Indo-Pacific dialogue and the development cooperation to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific and, in particular, to coordinate capacity-building support in the domain of maritime security, particularly with regard to ASEAN and Pacific Island countries.

Furthermore, we agreed to promote cooperation in the field of economic security, including critical and emerging technologies and supply chain resilience.

Third, developing a framework for trilateral cooperation. This will create a foundation for continuous and stable enhancement of coordination among the three countries.

After confirming that the three countries will promote multi-layered cooperation at all levels, it was agreed that the trilateral summit meeting will be held at least once a year.

And likewise, the ministers of foreign affairs, defense, and national security advisors will each also meet at least once a year. And the financial minister, as well as the industry and commerce ministers, will be meeting.

We will consider the Camp David principles issued today at a historic turning point for the international community to be a new compass for trilateral cooperation, and we will vigorously implement the concrete cooperation outlined in the Camp David statement of Japan, ROK, and U.S. on our partnership.

Together with Joe and President Yoon, we will continue to work to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the three countries in order to safeguard a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Thank you. (Applause.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Thank you. Now we have time for questions. President Biden, please select your reporter first.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: Aamer, with the AP.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. I have a question for each of the leaders. They will be brief and — but related.

President Biden, first for you: How confident should Asia be about a robust American commitment to a nuclear umbrella when the Compa- — Commander-in-Chief who preceded you and is looking to succeed you spoke openly about reducing the U.S. footprint in the Korean Peninsula?

President Yoon, how much confidence can Japan and the U.S. have about Seoul’s long-term commitment to rapprochement when polls show the solid majority of Korea disapproves of your handling and mending of the forced labor issue?

And, Prime Minister Kishida, what assurances can you give to your country’s citizens who fear bolstering your security cooperation in this matter could lead to — the country into an economic cold war with China?

And if you’ll indulge me, Mr. President, on a domestic matter: What is your reaction to the Special Counsel appointment last week into your son?

Thank you.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: (Laughs.) Well, first of all, look, there’s not much, if anything, I agree on with my predecessor on foreign policy. His America First policy, walking away from the rest of the world, has made us weaker, not stronger.

America is strong with our allies and our alliances, and that’s why we will endure. And it’s a strength that — quite frankly, that increases all the — three of our strengths.

This is just about one summit. What makes today different is it actually launches a series of initiatives that are actually institutional changes in how we deal with one another — in security cooperation, economic cooperation, technology cooperation, development cooperation, consultation exercises. And all of this will create (inaudible) momentum, I believe, year by year, month by month, to make the relationship stronger and more certain to remain to be in place.

And with regard — on these esult- — results, I think you’re going to keep it going. And I think you’re going to benefit all our countries.

And with regard to the second question, I make — I have no comment on any investigation that’s going on. That’s up to the Justice Department, and that’s all I have to say.

PRESIDENT YOON: (As interpreted.) To the question that was directed to me, I would like to say that the treaty made between Korea and Japan that was made in 1965 and the following measures by the government and the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2015 have some differences. But we have already implemented measures to bridge the gaps among them.

And in South Korea, of course, there is public opinion that is opposed to the government’s measures like that. However, from a perspective that’s forward-looking, strengthening ties and improving relationships between Korea and Japan are important and there is a shared understanding that this matters to our bilateral relationship, as well as our future. And this is something we need to continue working on.

PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA: (As interpreted.) Thank you for the question. First of all, at today’s meeting, the rules-based international order and activities inconsistent to such rule-based international order and activities. Other concerns have been shared, and the rule-based, free and open international order must be defended. And going forward, the U.S., Japan, ROK strategic collaboration will be reinforced even further. Such endeavors will continue going forward.

Our country and for the surrounding countries, the response capabilities, as well as defense capabilities, will be bolstered. And by doing so, the lives and livelihood of our population will be protected and the sense of assurance must be raised. These are the important activities.

Having said that, with regard to China, last year, in November, there was the Japan-China Leaders Summit, and there was a positive momentum. By maintaining the positive momentum, what has to be asserted will be asserted. And we shall strongly request responsible conduct. And we will continue an accumulative conversation about multiple issues. We will cooperate with regard to common challenges. Such constructive and stable relationship will be established by mutual effort.

That is my administration’s consistent policy. Based on this perception towards regional stability, our efforts will continue.

Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: President Yoon, next question, please.

PRESIDENT YOON: (As interpreted.) Please go ahead and ask a question. The reporter from Money Today — reporter named Jongjin Park. Please go ahead with your question.

Q (As interpreted.) Hi, I’m Jongjin Park of Money Today. First of all, I would like to ask a question to President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea. I heard that you said that a new chapter has opened in our trilateral cooperation with the two countries. Compared to the previous summits, what would be the most significant outcome that you gained through this summit?

And also, from the perspective of our people, what would be the benefit that the people of Korea would feel from these strengthening of ties?

And now my question goes to President Biden. During this summit, the issues of detainees or prisoners of wars — and you mentioned that there will be further cooperation in these human rights issues. And you also said you will support the free and peaceful Korean Peninsula in the region. And what kind of shift would there be in your policy? And what kind of specific solutions do you have in this regard?

Lastly, I would like to direct my question to Prime Minister Kishida. Today, we had a historic trilateral summit. However, there was much backlash and many concerns in Korea. However, President Yoon showed his political courage to do so. That’s the international community’s evaluation.

However, there are still concerns that Japan is making very passive efforts to resolve our issues that still remain. And also, how would you be able to show your truthful willingness to resolve and improve our bilateral relations going forward?

PRESIDENT YOON: (As interpreted.) First of all, this trilateral cooperation amongst our three countries has opened a new chapter, and we made that announcement today to talk about the differences from the past cooperation.

For instance, in the past, it was about individual issues that we sought cooperation among ourselves. But now, as we have opened a new chapter in our cooperation for security, economy, science and technology, and development cooperation for the Global South, health, and women — across all of these issues, our three countries decided to closely work together. So it’s much more comprehensive in nature.

Such comprehensive cooperation has been launched by us today because currently we face complicated crisis and the threat from the DPRK. And across the world, we believe that we can together make a contribution to freedom and peace around the world.

So that is our foundational understanding and our common and shared interests of the three countries. And not just for exclusionary interests of ourselves. Our interests are well aligned with the universal interests of the members of the global community. That’s where we find our shared interests lie.

And at the same time, this framework of comprehensive cooperation among our three countries will contribute to global supply chain resilience, global financial market stability, cooperation in the frontier technology sectors and science.

Our three countries together have the best-in-class expertise in science and technology. And we are the ones who are implementing liberal democracies.

Naturally, progress in science and technologies will bring benefits — tangible benefits to our people, not just in terms of security, but also in terms of economy and science and technology.

But what is most important here is not about our own interests only. When we put our forces together, I believe that we can make a contribution to the advancement of freedom and peace in the world. And that’s exactly where our interests are aligned.

PRESIDENT BIDEN: I — look, back in May of 2022, I met with the families of the Japanese abductees during my visit, heard their stories, and empathized with them and got a sense of the pain they’re feeling. It’s real.

We know there are many families out there who still wait and worry and wonder. We’re not going to forget about them or their loved ones.

And there’s clear language on this on our joint statement. The bottom line is this: that we share a common position. We’re committed to working together to see the return of all prisoners of war and — and those who’ve been abducted and detained.

And by the way, one of the things we get asked many times — and it wasn’t directly asked, but implied — is what makes us think any of this is positive.

Success brings success. When other nations see cooperation in the region, they make judgments about: Would they be better off if they made commitments? Will they move?

Think about — as students of history, all of you — and you are — think about how many times successes have generated other successes when you don’t anticipate it.

And so, I — I just think this is a — we’re not going to forget, we’re not giving up, and we’re going to continue to make the case for the freedom of all of those detainees.

PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA: (As interpreted.) With regard to your question for me, first of all, I have strong feelings about strengthening bilateral relationships between the ROK and Japan. I share that with President Yoon. The two countries, in dealing with international challenges, should cooperate. We’re both important neighboring countries. And so, friendship with President Yoon and a relationship of trust, based on this, both countries as partners should open up a new era. And that is my thinking.

This year, President Yoon came to Japan, and I visited the ROK. At international fora, we have repeated meetings — we have had repeated meetings. And between our two countries, including the economy and security, we’ve had forward-looking and concrete approaches which were started. It’s already in motion, dynamically.

Economic security dialogue was started — or it has been decided on. In the area of export control, there have been progress. And also financial ministers and defense ministers have had meetings.

And so, we’ve had this very positive, forward-looking developments. And these are seen not only in the public sector. Also in the private sector, we see a slate of developments, human exchanges, and exchanges between business circles. We’re seeing very active developments in all of these areas, and that is a reality.

Going forward, we hope to accumulate these approaches along with President Yoon to strengthen our bilateral relations even further. By generating results, we hope that people will understand Japan’s feelings towards our bilateral relations. And we’d like to continue such efforts.

Thank you.

Thank you very much. Then, let me see. From Kyodo — Tajiri-san, Kyodo News.

Q (As interpreted.) Tajiri, Kyodo News. At Camp David with history. I do have a question to each of the leaders.

President Biden, it was mentioned at this summit meeting that Russia’s aggression of Ukraine is continuing. So, what role do you expect of Japan?

Prime Minister Kishida has mentioned that as China’s threat in Asia is rising, Ukraine may be East Asia tomorrow. What do you think about this comment, President Biden?

And the situation in Asia, where China’s threat is rising — what is the meaning and significance of the trilateral relationship with Japan, U.S., ROK becoming stronger in multiple layers?

President Yoon Suk Yeol, I have a question to Your Excellency. North Korea’s nuclear missile development is a major security threat to Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. As North Korea’s provocations continue to escalate, what is the meaning and significance of the three countries declaring a new era of partnership?

Regarding the release of treated water at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, did Prime Minister Kishida explain the matter at the trilateral or the bilateral summit today?

To the recent Japan-ROK summit meeting, Your Excellency, you expressed your intent to respect the IAEA report despite the strong domestic opposition. Why do you demonstrate your understanding for the policy of Kishida administration? I ask for that reason.

And to Prime Minister Kishida, this is the first time that a trilateral summit is held on a standalone basis rather than on the sidelines of international meetings. You have said that the trilateral cooperation will be raised to new heights for the security environment in East Asia. And without the resolution of abduction, North Korea is continuing nuclear missile development. What is the meaning for North Korea?

And in eastern South China Seas, by maritime advancement, China is continuing unilateral attempts to change the status quo. What is the meaning for China?

PRESIDENT BIDEN: And you have a great imagination. One question ends up being six. But, thank you. I’ll try to answer all of it. (Laughter.) I’m glad I didn’t have you as my law professor when he said “one question.” (Laughs.) At any rate, they’re all legitimate questions.

Look, on Ukraine, I and my country and the leadership of my country in both parties are very grateful for everything Japan is helping to deal with in Ukraine. And I mean that sincerely. You’ve showed strong leadership through the G7 as well and contributed to a significant amount of financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, as well as nonlethal military equipment.

And, you know — and they joined so many other nations in holding Russia accountable through their international sanctions.

If my memory serves me well — and I think it does, Mr. Prime Minister — we found ourselves in a circumstance where, when I called you about Ukraine, I didn’t have to convince you of anything. I started off to make the case that Ukraine was a circumstance where — to think, in the first quarter of the 20th century, another country would amass over 150,000 forces on the border of another country — or 150,000 forces and invade that country — invade that country without any rationale other than — if you read Putin’s speech after he invaded, he talked about Kyiv being the motherland. You know, I mean, it just was ridiculous, I think. And he talked about being Peter the Great. It was —

Just imagine if we had done nothing. Imagine if we had done nothing.

And the point was immediately recognized, if I’m not mistaken, by you, Mr. Prime Minister, that we’re

in a situation where it could happen anywhere. If we stand — if we had stood still, what signal would that send to China about Taiwan? What signal would that send around the world if nations weren’t powerful on borders?

But here’s the deal. You contributed significantly to what, I think, is already the —

Let me put it this way. Russia has already lost. It cannot meet its original objective which it stated. It’s not possible.

But — and they’ve joined so many other nations in holding Russia accountable for international sanctions. But Japan’s leadership, from day one, it has been critical for making it clear that the consequences for war extend well beyond Europe — well beyond Europe.

I say it in reverse. What would happen if an Asian country with 150,000 troops invaded another? You think that would not affect the interests, the economy, and — and the foreign policy of nations in Europe and Latin America all across the world? It would have profound impact.

And with Japan’s leadership, from day one, it has been critical to making clear the consequences of this will extend well beyond Europe — well beyond Europe. It’s a global issue that has impacts everywhere. And the Prime Minister’s comments at Shangri La capture that.

And by the way, you know, we talked about this being an inflection point. The world is changing. The world is changing. And about every six or seven generations, it makes significant change. And there’s a lot happening.

And the idea that we’re going to sit down, the rest of the world, and say, “Well, that’s only a European problem.” There hasn’t been that kind of invasion since World War Two.

And so — as for peace, we all want that, of course. Ukrainians want it most of all. And my team has been working very closely with the — President Zelenskyy’s team and further peace formula, noting that “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.”

But nonetheless, we’re meeting with them constantly — constantly.

And your other two questions about China — I’ll just say this: This summit was not about China. That was not the purpose of the meeting. But it did come — China obviously came up. Not to say we don’t share concerns about the economic coercion or heightened tensions caused by China, but this summit was really about our relationship with each other and deepening cooperation across an entire range of issues that went well beyond just the immediate issues we raised.

It was about more peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific — a region, quite frankly, that would benefit everyone living there and around the world if we get it right. It’s not just here. It has a phenomenal impact.

Think about what’s — at any rate, I won’t get going. I’ll take too long.

But as you’ve seen from the initiatives we’re announcing here, today is just how committed we are to see this vision take place. And I think this relationship that we put together and I think we’re going to — you’re going to see it expand. It’s not merely what we did today. This is a historic meeting.

But we’re about to — we’ve laid in place a long-term structure for a relationship that will last and have a phenomenal impact not just in Asia, but around the world.

Someone once said in a different context that — about a health- — a healthcare provision in my country a while ago: This is a big deal. This is a big deal.

Thank you.

Q President Biden, how soon do you anticipate meeting with President Xi —

PRESIDENT BIDEN: They have to answer their questions.

PRESIDENT YOON: (As interpreted.) Yes, let me address the questions directed to me.

First, as to North Korea’s nuclear and missile provocations and the threats that are posed and how we plan to counter those threats together among our three countries, let me address that question.

Of the cooperative frameworks among our three countries is the most — what is most symbolic out of those is our cooperation in defense area. Any provocations or attacks against any one of our three countries will trigger a decision-making process of this trilateral framework, and our solidarity will become even stronger and harder.

And at the same time, missile information will be shared in a real-time basis, and systematic training and drills will be implemented in accordance with systematic annual schedules, regular schedules, and regular trainings that we plan to carry out together against the DPRK’s missile provocations. That will be our response.

And at the same time, regarding your question concerning the water release from the Fukushima plant, as a matter of fact, that issue was not addressed during our summit because it was not on the agenda.

But still, let me try to address that question. The Fukushima plant’s treated water, if it’s going to have some type of impact, it would flow through the entire Pacific Ocean having an impact not just on our three countries, but all countries around the world.

As such, for the sake of safety and health of the people of our three countries and all members of the international community, that should be something that we need to place the highest priority on.

Regarding this treated water, based on scientific principles, all of the processing should be carried out accordingly. And at the same time, internationally recognized and reliable IAEA’s investigation results are something that we can trust.

And I would like to make sure that everything is conducted and carried out in accordance with the procedures established by the IAEA. Together with the international community and also together with the Koreans, transparent data disclosure would be necessary, in my opinion.

PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA: (As interpreted.) Thank you. The question to myself. As you mentioned, nuclear and missile development by North Korea or unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas are ongoing. And the security environment surrounding our three countries, it has becoming increasingly harsh day after day.

Under this backdrop, on this occasion, we agreed to enhance the coordination between the U.S.-Japan and the U.S.-ROK alliances and to bring the trilateral security cooperation to new heights.

This is indeed the requirement of this era. And by this summit, I am sure that the trilateral security cooperation will further advance and reinforce the regional peace and stability.

In particular, with regard to North Korea, we were able to put forward concrete results, such as the implementation of annual Japan, U.S, ROK multidomain and joint exercises and the establishment of a working group to address North Korea’s cyber activities.

I also stated that the abduction issue is a humanitarian issue with time constraints. And Joe and President Yoon reiterated their strong support for the immediate resolution of this matter.

We also shared our recognition that the path to dialogue with North Korea is open.

Furthermore, once again, the presidents of both countries aligned with me in strongly opposing unilateral changes to the status quo through the use of force.

We will continue our efforts to further strengthen the strategic partnership among the three countries in order to defend the free, open, and international order based on the rule of law.

That is all. Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: This concludes —

PRESIDENT BIDEN: To answer your question, I expect and hope to follow up on our conversation on Bali this fall. That’s my expectation. Thank you.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: This concludes our press conference. Please — please stay seated as the — the leaders depart, please. Please stay seated.

Q Mr. President, are you winning the competition with China?

PRESIDENT BIDEN: We’re winning all the competition.

4:08 P.M. EDT

whitehouse.gov · by The White House · August 19, 2023

5. Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with Prime Minister Kishida of Japan

Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with Prime Minister Kishida of Japan | The White House

whitehouse.gov · by The White House · August 18, 2023

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan at Camp David today to discuss global and regional security issues and to advance bilateral security and economic cooperation.

Both leaders affirmed their resolve to continue supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes as Ukraine defends itself from Russia’s brutal and unlawful aggression. Recognizing the U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan backed by the full range of U.S. capabilities, they committed to work together closely to address regional security challenges. The leaders expressed concern about the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) recent dangerous behavior in the South China Sea to assert its unlawful maritime claims. They also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

The two leaders also highlighted significant progress on defense cooperation, including plans to pursue a Glide Phase Interceptor cooperative development program to counter high-end hypersonic threats, which will strengthen regional deterrence and build on long-standing missile defense cooperation between the two countries to promote stability.

###

whitehouse.gov · by The White House · August 18, 2023

6. Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea

Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea | The White House

whitehouse.gov · by The White House · August 18, 2023

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met with President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea (ROK) at Camp David today to discuss global and regional security issues and to advance bilateral security and economic cooperation.

Both leaders committed to working closely together to address the unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), including through extended deterrence activities consistent with the Washington Declaration. Both leaders affirmed their resolve to continue supporting Ukraine as well as to promote peace and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific, including in the South China Sea and across the Taiwan Strait.

The two leaders also highlighted progress on economic cooperation, especially on critical and emerging technologies, and confirmed the continuation of close collaboration between the United States and the ROK to fortify and strengthen multiple commercial sectors.

###

whitehouse.gov · by The White House · August 18, 2023

7. Commitment to Consult (JAROKUS)

Commitment to Consult | The White House

whitehouse.gov · by The White House · August 18, 2023

Among Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States

We, the leaders of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States, commit our governments to consult trilaterally with each other, in an expeditious manner, to coordinate our responses to regional challenges, provocations, and threats affecting our collective interests and security. Through these consultations, we intend to share information, align our messaging, and coordinate response actions.

Our countries retain the freedom to take all appropriate actions to uphold our security interests or sovereignty. This commitment does not supersede or otherwise infringe on the commitments arising from the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security Between Japan and the United States and the Mutual Defense Treaty Between the United States and the Republic of Korea. This commitment is not intended to give rise to rights or obligations under international or domestic law.

###

whitehouse.gov · by The White House · August 18, 2023

8. Yoon, Biden, Kishida commit to immediately consult in event of common threat

It will be interesting to see how the press assesses the Spirit of Camp David and the Camp David Principles in the coming days.

(4th LD) Yoon, Biden, Kishida commit to immediately consult in event of common threat | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · August 19, 2023

(ATTN: UPDATES with press conference remarks; ADDS photo; RECASTS lead)

By Lee Haye-ah

CAMP DAVID, Maryland, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- Leaders of South Korea, the United States and Japan agreed Friday to significantly expand trilateral security cooperation, pledging to immediately consult one another in the event of common threats, hold annual joint military exercises and cooperate closely for stronger missile defense against North Korea.

The agreements were reached during a trilateral summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland, the first time the leaders of the three countries met for a standalone meeting and one that was hailed by Yoon as opening a new chapter in trilateral cooperation.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (L), U.S. President Joe Biden (C) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hold a joint press conference after their trilateral summit at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland on Aug. 18, 2023. (Yonhap)

"Now, Camp David will be remembered as a historic place where South Korea, the United States and Japan declared their intention to promote the rules-based international order on the foundation of the common values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law, and to play a central role for regional security and prosperity," Yoon said in a joint press conference after the summit.

Biden touted the leaders as having "made history," while Kishida said it was "necessary" and a demand of the times to realize their potential for strategic cooperation.

The agreement to consult one another in the event of common threats, dubbed the "Commitment to Consult Among Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States," was a first among the three nations and elevated their partnership to a new level amid security and economic challenges posed by North Korea and China.

It underscored the urgency of jointly responding to common challenges, such as North Korea's nuclear threat and supply chain disruptions, after years of historical tensions between Seoul and Tokyo prevented deeper cooperation at the trilateral level.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hold a trilateral summit meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland on Aug. 18, 2023. (Yonhap)

"We, the leaders of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States, commit our governments to consult trilaterally with each other, in an expeditious manner, to coordinate our responses to regional challenges, provocations, and threats affecting our collective interests and security," the document said, referring to South Korea by its formal name. "Through these consultations, we intend to share information, align our messaging, and coordinate response actions."

The document did not specify the type of threat or challenge that will trigger the commitment to consult, but a South Korean presidential official cited examples such as trade disputes, a North Korean missile threat, a serious provocation at sea, or any threat in or outside the region.

Also, in the event one country decides not to share information because it deems a particular threat to not be a threat to itself, it will have no obligation to do so, the official said.

"Our countries retain the freedom to take all appropriate actions to uphold our security interests or sovereignty," the document read, noting the commitment would not supersede any obligations under the alliance treaties between South Korea and the U.S. or between the U.S. and Japan, or give rise to rights or obligations under international or domestic law.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (L), U.S. President Joe Biden (C) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (R) pose for a photo ahead of a trilateral summit meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland on Aug. 18, 2023. (Yonhap)

The Commitment to Consult was one of a series of agreements reached by the three leaders at their summit. The overarching agreement, contained in a joint statement titled "The Spirit of Camp David," called for holding annual trilateral meetings among the three countries' leaders, foreign ministers, defense ministers and national security advisers, as well as the first trilateral meeting between their finance ministers.

The leaders agreed to launch an annual Trilateral Indo-Pacific Dialogue to coordinate implementation of their Indo-Pacific approaches and to discuss ways to coordinate their efforts to counter disinformation, while also welcoming the trilateral development policy dialogue planned for October.

The three countries announced plans to hold trilateral defense exercises on an annual basis and operationalize their real-time sharing of missile warning data on North Korea before the end of the year. They are committed to pursuing enhanced ballistic missile defense cooperation to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and agreed to establish a new trilateral working group to combat North Korean cyber threats and block its cyber-enabled sanctions evasion.

In addition, the three countries agreed to strengthen cooperation to improve the human rights situation in North Korea and resolve the issues of abductions, detainees and unrepatriated prisoners of war.

The joint statement expressed the three countries' shared concerns about "actions inconsistent with the rules-based international order," recalling their individually announced positions on the "dangerous and aggressive behavior supporting unlawful maritime claims" by China in the South China Sea.

"We strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific," the statement said, adding the leaders reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. "There is no change in our basic positions on Taiwan, and we call for a peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues."

The three leaders pledged to continue to support Ukraine in its war against Russia.

"We commit to continue providing assistance to Ukraine, imposing coordinated, robust sanctions on Russia, and accelerating the reduction of dependency on Russian energy," the statement said.

Issues of economic security were also discussed in detail, with the three leaders committing to work closely to launch pilot programs for early warning systems about supply chain shortages. The three sides agreed to cooperate on supply chain resilience, especially on semiconductors and batteries; technology security and standards; as well as clean energy and energy security, among other areas.

They further agreed to strengthen cooperation to prevent their cutting-edge technologies from being illegally exported or stolen abroad.

A third document outlining the guiding principles for trilateral cooperation, called "Camp David Principles," was also adopted at the summit.

The principles provide the basis for the agreements in the Spirit of Camp David joint statement.

Thanking Biden at the press conference for his warm welcome, Yoon said he hopes to host the next trilateral meeting in South Korea.

hague@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Lee Haye-ah · August 19, 2023

9. S. Korea-U.S.-Japan summit outcomes herald deeper, consistent security cooperation against N. Korean, other challenges: analysts

(News Focus) S. Korea-U.S.-Japan summit outcomes herald deeper, consistent security cooperation against N. Korean, other challenges: analysts | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · August 19, 2023

By Song Sang-ho

SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- From a shared commitment to crisis consultation to the "principles" of trilateral engagement, the outcomes from this week's landmark summit between South Korea, the United States and Japan are likely to put their once-fragile security cooperation on a more robust, sustainable, consistent footing, analysts said Saturday.

President Yoon Suk Yeol and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Joe Biden and Fumio Kishida, adopted a series of documents committing each other to sturdier three-way cooperation during their historic summit at Camp David in Maryland on Friday, underscoring their deepening solidarity amid North Korea's saber-rattling, China's assertiveness and Russia's war in Ukraine.

The documents entailed agreements to consult with one another in the event of a common threat and hold three-way talks between the leaders, foreign ministers, defense ministers and national security advisers at least annually, as well as an intention to hold annual "multi-domain" military exercises on a regular basis.

They represented telltale signs of the three-way partnership being institutionalized as a thaw in the relations between Seoul and Tokyo -- long fraught with historical and territorial spats -- has created an opening for the three nations to close ranks and confront shared challenges.

"We made history with the first-ever standalone summit between the leaders of our three countries as well as our commitment to meet together on the leader level annually and to have all our relative Cabinet member people meet on a regular basis from this point on, not just this year, not next year, forever," Biden told reporters at Camp David, a place that he said symbolizes the "power of new beginnings and new possibilities."

"In the months and years ahead, we're going to continue to seize those possibilities together ... unwavering in our unity and unmatched in our resolve," he added.

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a joint press conference with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts, Yoon Suk Yeol and Fumio Kishida, at Camp David in Maryland on Aug. 18, 2023. (Yonhap)

Just years ago, the scene of the three leaders meeting trilaterally in a stand-alone setting with such a level of unity was seldom anticipated as historical grievances stemming from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of Korea have gotten in the way of attempts at deepening trilateral cooperation.

Even more so as tensions spilled over into economic and security domains as witnessed in export control rows between Seoul and Tokyo as well as a rancorous spat over low-altitude flybys by Japanese maritime patrol aircraft over South Korean warships in 2018 and 2019.

But the Yoon administration's decision in March to resolve the issue of Japan's wartime forced labor has given rise to a thaw in the bilateral ties, while North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats have underscored the urgency for the two neighbors to patch things up.

In the midst of an intensifying Sino-U.S. rivalry, Biden has been seen promoting rapprochement between Seoul and Tokyo, apparently harnessing his experience as vice president during the Barack Obama administration that helped foster a thaw between the neighbors as seen in a 2015 deal to address the issue of Japan's wartime sexual slavery.

A series of agreements contained in their summit documents marked a culmination of tripartite efforts to bring three-way cooperation to what officials have called a "new height."

Yoon, Biden and Kishida adopted the documents, titled the "Camp David Principles," the "Commitment to Consult," and the "Spirit of Camp David," to chart a future course of their cooperation on a sustainable and consistent basis as well as a wider range of areas, including defense, economic security and technology.

Their summit agreements also highlighted their tightening alignment on geopolitically sensitive issues, like those concerning the South China Sea -- a crucial waterway plagued by competing territorial claims -- and Taiwan, the self-governed democratic island that China claims as its territory.

On the North Korean front, the three leaders agreed to operationalize the real-time sharing of North Korean missile warning data by the end of this year, establish a new trilateral working group to combat North Korea's cyberthreats and block its cyber-enabled sanctions evasion, and hold annual multi-domain exercises regularly.

These agreements are bound to rile North Korea and China, but security uncertainties stemming from them have driven Seoul, Washington and Tokyo to such a level of cooperation short of what could amount to a formal collective defense mechanism, analysts said.

"The agreements highlight that three-way cooperation is being institutionalized to ensure that it would not swing or fluctuate due to a leadership change or other factors in each other's capital," Kim Yeol-su, a senior security expert at the Korea Institute for Military Affairs, said.

"With the countries' cooperation regularized among the leaders, foreign and defense ministers and national security advisers, it can gain greater sustainability, continuity and predictability," he added.

U.S. officials indicated that the Camp David summit agreements centered on efforts to "lock in" three-way engagement and make it difficult to "backtrack."

"Today, we are going to lay a strong foundation for this trilateral partnership to make sure that it's deep, it is strong and that it's built to last," U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters before the summit.

"We're opening a new era and we're making sure that era has staying power ... So that means regularizing meetings between our leaders and our senior officials on an annual basis to discuss the broad agenda of security technology, regional strategy, economic partnership and more," he added.

Despite such an upbeat assessment, there are still variables that could potentially hamper the implementation of summit agreements.

Nam Chang-hee, a professor of political science at Inha University, took note of possible "constraints," such as lingering historical tensions between South Korea and Japan, China's expected resistance to the closer-knit three-way partnership and U.S. domestic politics, where there are undercurrents of isolationism.

"Still, it's a meaningful move towards optimized trilateral cooperation," Nam said.

The summit agreement on the "commitment to consult" in the event of a crisis added to the speculation that Seoul, Washington and Tokyo are on course to create a formal alliance, but officials have dismissed the notion.

"It is not a formal alliance commitment, it is not a collective defense commitment that is lifted from an early Cold War security treaty," a U.S. administration official told reporters earlier this week.

President Yoon Suk Yeol (L) and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Joe Biden (C) and Fumio Kishida, address a joint press conference at Camp David in Maryland on Aug. 18, 2023. (Yonhap)

sshluck@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · August 19, 2023

10. U.S., Japan and South Korea Boost Alliance to Counter China, North Korea

U.S., Japan and South Korea Boost Alliance to Counter China, North Korea

Biden administration sees partnerships as a way to alter strategic landscape against Beijing

https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/u-s-japan-and-south-korea-boost-alliance-to-counter-china-north-korea-50772c41?mod=hp_listb_pos2

By Andrew Restuccia

Follow, Vivian Salama

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Updated Aug. 18, 2023 7:29 pm ET

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Biden Hosts First Trilateral Summit With South Korea and Japan

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Biden Hosts First Trilateral Summit With South Korea and Japan

Play video: Biden Hosts First Trilateral Summit With South Korea and Japan

President Biden met with the leaders of South Korea and Japan at Camp David on Friday, agreeing to enhance cooperation among the countries and counter rising threats from China and North Korea. Photo: Michael Reynolds/Zuma Press

CAMP DAVID, Md.—The U.S., Japan and South Korea took a significant step on Friday toward creating a bulwark against common threats from China and North Korea, forging a sturdier three-way alliance to bolster security.

President Biden hosted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Camp David, in the first visit by foreign leaders to the presidential retreat since 2015. The three committed to consulting on threats to each’s security, working together on ballistic-missile defense, conducting annual joint military exercises and holding yearly summits to maintain the momentum.

The stronger alliance forms part of a lattice of partnerships that the U.S. has struck from India to Australia and Southeast Asia and that the Biden administration hopes will alter the strategic landscape against China. Beijing has been flexing its expanding power against neighboring states, while North Korea has ramped up its missile program in recent years and rejected diplomatic outreach.

“This is a new era of partnership,” Biden said at a press conference on Camp David’s wooded grounds, standing alongside the South Korean and Japanese leaders. Biden added later: “This is not about a day, week or month. This is about decades and decades of relationships that we’re building.”

U.S. officials described the summit as historic, given that previous attempts to nudge Tokyo and Seoul to cooperate have been undermined by lingering animosity over Japan’s colonial occupation of Korea, which ended after World War II. Biden praised Yoon and Kishida for showing “political courage” in mending ties—a move that officials said came despite negative public opinion in the leaders’ respective countries and provided an opening for Washington to boost cooperation.

Publicly, Biden administration officials said the new cooperation isn’t aimed at China but is intended to bolster an alliance important to the three countries’ security. Behind the scenes, they cited Beijing’s heightened actions in the seas from Japan to Taiwan and the Philippines as helping to shift attitudes in Seoul and Tokyo.

“It gives a strong message and impression that the U.S. has very capable friends,” said Rob Rapson, a retired U.S. diplomat, who served multiple tours in South Korea and Japan.

North Korea has added to the uncertain security landscape, test-firing several intercontinental ballistic missiles this year, including on July 12. Seoul’s spy agency told South Korean lawmakers this week that North Korea appeared to be preparing for a possible ICBM launch to coincide with the Camp David summit, based on support-vehicle activity in Pyongyang.

Even so, South Korea and Japan have robust trade and commercial ties with China, limiting their willingness to openly align against Beijing. Rapson, the retired diplomat, said those limits include codifying elements of their military coordination and cooperation on Taiwan—the island democracy and U.S. partner that Beijing has threatened to annex by force.

Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, told reporters Friday that the three countries haven’t agreed to a formal mutual defense agreement that would commit each to defending the other, as in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Instead, officials said, the three are agreeing to stepped-up consultations on security threats and committing to a new three-way hotline.

Sullivan dismissed criticism from China that the nations are moving toward an East Asian version of NATO. “I would just underscore that this summit today, this partnership, is not against anyone, it is for something. It is for a vision of the Indo Pacific that is free, open, secure and prosperous,” he said.

“This summit was not about China,” Biden told reporters, though he said the three leaders discussed Beijing. Biden also said he plans to talk with Chinese leader Xi Jinping this fall, following up on a meeting last November.

Initiatives agreed to by the three allies cover security, technology and economic cooperation—from bolstering intelligence-sharing to creating monitoring systems to detect disruptions to supply chains, including semiconductors and other advanced technology. They also agreed to a combined effort to counter North Korea cyber intrusions and a joint program to combat disinformation.

Aside from summits, the allies would hold meetings annually or more frequently among national security advisers, and foreign, defense, finance and other ministers.

Camp David has served as a venue for presidents to meet world leaders since the Franklin Roosevelt administration. Friday’s meeting marked the first time the U.S., Japan and South Korean leaders have held a stand-alone summit, instead of gathering on the sidelines of another event.

The summit also represented the culmination of years of enhanced diplomacy between the Biden administration and officials in Seoul and Tokyo. Biden has made relations with the two countries a priority, according to administration officials, inviting the nation’s leaders to Washington for the first two foreign leaders’ visits of his presidency. Biden also traveled to Seoul and Tokyo, and he and his senior aides have met frequently with top officials in the countries.

The fresh agreement comes ahead of the 2024 election, in which Biden is running for a second term. Former President Donald Trump is currently the leading candidate in the Republican primary race. The election has many world leaders worried that if Biden doesn’t win re-election, key global alliances may suffer.

Asked about the security fallout if Trump wins another term, Biden told reporters that he disagrees with his predecessor’s foreign policy views and said the bolstered alliance between the three countries will endure.

“All of this will create some momentum, I believe, year-by-year, month-by-month to make the relationship stronger and more certain to remain…in place,” Biden said.

The annual summits and other meetings, as outlined in Friday’s agreement, are one way U.S. officials see as making the three-way alliance more permanent and shielding it from political changes in each capital.

In the run-up to Friday’s summit, U.S. officials pointed to the event as well as revitalized defense relations with the Philippines and a security pact with Australia and the U.K. as evidence that Washington is committed to the region for the long term.

“Our message is, ‘We’re a permanent Pacific power and presence and you can bet long on America,’” Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, said at an event this week at the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank.

Timothy W. Martin in Seoul contributed to this article.

Write to Andrew Restuccia at andrew.restuccia@wsj.com, Vivian Salama at vivian.salama@wsj.com and Catherine Lucey at catherine.lucey@wsj.com

Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

Appeared in the August 19, 2023, print edition as 'U.S., Japan, South Korea Bolster Alliance'.

11. Biden declares ‘new era’ of partnership with South Korea and Japan

Biden declares ‘new era’ of partnership with South Korea and Japan

The meeting marked the beginning of what the White House hopes will be an extended stretch of three-way engagement

By Toluse Olorunnipa and Ellen Nakashima

Updated August 18, 2023 at 7:02 p.m. EDT|Published August 18, 2023 at 4:39 p.m. EDT

The Washington Post · by Toluse Olorunnipa · August 18, 2023

President Biden sought to mark a “new era” for one of the U.S.’s most high-profile trilateral partnerships Friday, using a first-of-its-kind summit with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts at Camp David to announce new measures on defense, technology, education and other key areas of cooperation.

“This is the first summit I’ve hosted at Camp David, and I can think of no more fitting location to begin the next era of cooperation,” Biden said at a joint news conference, standing between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at his presidential retreat in Maryland and pledging that the commitments the leaders agreed to would stand the test of time. “This is about decades and decades.”

The summit was the culmination of what White House aides have described as a two-year effort to help assist in a rapprochement between South Korea and Japan after decades of frosty relations. It also marked the beginning of what the White House hopes will be an extended stretch of three-way engagement, designed in part to help counter China’s military aggression and economic coercion.

Major deliverables from the summit included a so-called “commitment to consult,” an agreement that a security threat to one of them would require mutual discussion about a joint response. The agreement was widely viewed as a response to a growing sense of risk emanating from Beijing, but officials made sure to clarify that the agreement was not a defense treaty and that it stopped short of the kind of ironclad duty to “take action” found in the NATO treaty’s Article 5 provision.

Other measures included agreements to hold annual meetings between the nation’s three leaders, enhanced cooperation on ballistic missile defense and a new hotline to help the three governments communicate during a crisis.

On economic issues, the three leaders agreed to work together more closely to shore up global supply chains with an “early warning” system to head off shortages of critical technologies.

The summit was designed to be rich in symbolism: Camp David was the site of historic 1978 peace accords between Israel and Egypt, and Biden wished to celebrate Seoul and Tokyo moving beyond decades of recrimination toward a new amity that has grown out of a desire to counter common foes including China.

Beijing has long been critical of efforts by the Biden administration to rally allies and partners — efforts that U.S. officials say China has noted with growing chagrin. It has called Friday’s summit and other multilateral initiatives moves toward creating a “mini NATO” or an “Asian NATO.”

On Friday, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Wang Wenbin repeated the theme. “No country should seek its own security at the expense of other countries’ security interests and regional peace and stability,” he said in the ministry’s daily news conference in Beijing, adding that the Asia-Pacific region should not be “turned into a wrestling ground for geopolitical competition.” Said Wang: “Attempts to cobble together various exclusionary groupings and bring bloc confrontation and military blocs into the Asia-Pacific … will only be met with vigilance and opposition from regional countries.”

National security adviser Jake Sullivan, speaking at a press briefing Friday morning at Camp David, pushed back on that notion.

The summit, he said, “is explicitly not a NATO for the Pacific.”

The United States has had a combined 150 years of alliance cooperation with Japan and with Korea, Sullivan said.

“The work we are doing with these two countries is not new,” he said. “What is new is that we are now stitching all of that work together to try to enhance regional stability and security.”

The summit was made possible not just because of a détente between Seoul and Tokyo, but also because of a heightened sense of threat in the region. In addition to China’s aggression, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has scrambled the geopolitical landscape. Russia’s actions have spurred fears in the region that China could attempt a similar attack on Taiwan, rattling Japan and South Korea in particular.

The war has brought Moscow and Beijing closer, and on Friday, Sullivan noted the administration is concerned about the technology and security relationship between Russia and North Korea, including how Pyongyang has aided Moscow with materiel to use against Ukraine.

The summit has been long in the making. Biden, who campaigned on restoring alliances, took office determined that the South Korea-Japan relationship should improve and the trilateral partnership should become “the backbone of our alliances” in the Indo-Pacific, said a senior administration official this week.

Ahead of the gathering, administration officials stressed how significant Biden considers the relationship with these two allies. They noted that Yoon and Kishida are his first foreign leader guests at Camp David (as well as the first foreign leaders there since 2015). Yoon and Kishida’s predecessors were the first foreign leaders to visit the White House in 2021. And Tokyo and Seoul were Biden’s first two stops in his first foreign trip to Asia.

In recent months, Yoon has taken unprecedented steps to resolve differences with Japan over the latter’s use of forced Korean labor during its occupation of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. Those steps have helped pave the way for the agreement announced Friday.

“I give Yoon a lot of credit for this,” said Victor Cha, an Asia and Korea expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “There is not a harder domestic political issue in Korea than to talk about improving relations with Japan.”

Still, the growing sense of bonhomie has not fully resolved all lingering tensions in the multifaceted relationships. Japan and South Korea, for example, have each bristled at some of Biden’s economic policies. Biden’s push to boost U.S. manufacturing and crackdown on China’s development of advanced technologies like semiconductor chips has occasionally caused collateral damage for companies in Japan and South Korea, diplomats have said.

As the largest trading partner for both countries, China is home to millions of consumers and workers key to the bottom lines of Japanese and South Korean businesses. Officials in Beijing have responded to U.S.-led export controls and with punitive economic measures of its own, some of which have targeted Seoul and Tokyo.

The trilateral engagement is a significant piece of a growing web of multilateral partnerships the administration has created with an eye towards sustaining what it and allies call a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”

In the last two years, it has elevated the Quad diplomatic partnership with India, Japan and Australia to the leader-level. It has agreed with Canberra and London to supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, which involves the transfer of highly sensitive technology. It has stepped up relations with Delhi, which will now make General Electric fighter-jet engines in India; with the Philippines, which is expanding U.S. military access to Philippine bases; with Japan, which is buying U.S. Tomahawks and allowing an advanced Marine regiment to position itself in islands southwest of Okinawa; and with South Korea, with which it has set up a framework to consult on plans for responding to a potential nuclear attack from North Korea.

Japan, the only country to ever have nuclear weapons used against it, declined to participate in the Nuclear Consultative Group launched by Biden and Yoon.

Still, if the three leaders had any disagreements during their hours of meetings behind closed doors, they managed to present a united front during a chummy news conference in which each man appeared tieless and relaxed.

“If I seem like I’m happy, it’s because I am,” Biden said to kick off the event. “This has been a great, great meeting.”

The Washington Post · by Toluse Olorunnipa · August 18, 2023

12. Looming Over a New Security Pact: China, North Korea and Donald Trump

Looming Over a New Security Pact: China, North Korea and Donald Trump

By Peter Baker and Zolan Kanno-Youngs

Peter Baker and Zolan Kanno-Youngs cover the White House. Baker reported from Washington and Kanno-Youngs from Camp David. They both covered Biden’s trips to Seoul and Tokyo.

Aug. 18, 2023, 

7:16 p.m. ET

The New York Times · by Zolan Kanno-Youngs · August 18, 2023

News Analysis

While the former president’s name appeared nowhere in the communique issued by three leaders, one of the subtexts was the possibility that he could return to power in next year’s election and disrupt ties with America’s two closest allies in the Indo-Pacific region.

President Biden hosted President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea, left, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan at Camp David on Friday. Credit...Samuel Corum for The New York Times

Aug. 18, 2023, 7:16 p.m. ET

The new three-way security pact sealed by President Biden and the leaders of Japan and South Korea at Camp David on Friday was forged with threats by China and North Korea in mind. But there was one other possible factor driving the diplomatic breakthrough: Donald J. Trump.

While the former president’s name appeared nowhere in the “Camp David Principles” that the leaders issued at the presidential retreat, one of the subtexts was the possibility that he could return to power in next year’s election and disrupt ties with America’s two closest allies in the Indo-Pacific region.

Both Japan and South Korea struggled for four years as Mr. Trump threatened to scale back longstanding U.S. security and economic commitments while wooing China, North Korea and Russia. In formalizing a three-way alliance that had long eluded the United States, Mr. Biden and his counterparts hoped to lock in a strategic architecture that will endure regardless of who is in the White House next.

“This is not about a day, a week or month,” Mr. Biden said at a joint news conference with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan and President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea. “This is about decades and decades of relationships that we’re building.” The goal, he added, was to “lay in place a long-term structure for a relationship that will last.”

Asked by a reporter why Asia should be confident about American assurances given Mr. Trump’s campaign to recapture the presidency on a so-called America First platform, Mr. Biden offered a testimonial to the value of alliances in guaranteeing the nation’s security in dangerous times.

“There’s not much, if anything, I agree on with my predecessor on foreign policy,” Mr. Biden said, adding that “walking away from the rest of the world leaves us weaker, not stronger. America is strong with our allies and our alliances and that’s why we will endure.”

The meeting at the getaway in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland was a milestone in Mr. Biden’s efforts to stitch together a network of partnerships to counter Chinese aggression in the region. While the United States has long been close to Japan and South Korea individually, the two Asian powers have nursed generations of grievances that kept them at a distance from one another.

The alignment at Camp David was made possible by Mr. Yoon’s decision to try to put the past behind the two countries. His rapprochement with Tokyo has not been universally popular at home with a public that harbors long memories of the Japanese occupation in the first half of the 20th century, but both sides made clear they are dedicated to a fresh start.

“That’s a long, bitter colonial wound that President Yoon has to jump over, and Kishida as well,” said Orville Schell, director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at the Asia Society. “That I think is a consonant expression of the degree to which China’s rather belligerent, punitive behavior has driven together allies, partners and friends within Asia.”

Mr. Biden hoped to capitalize on that by bringing the Japanese and South Korean leaders together for the first stand-alone meeting between the three nations that was not on the sidelines of a larger international summit. He repeatedly praised Mr. Yoon and Mr. Kishida for “the political courage” they were demonstrating.

He chose the resonant setting of Camp David for the talks to emphasize the importance he attaches to the initiative, inviting the leaders to the storied retreat that has been the site of momentous events over the decades, including most memorably Jimmy Carter’s 13-day negotiation in 1978 brokering peace between Israel and Egypt.

“This is a big deal,” Mr. Biden said, noting that it was the first time he had invited foreign leaders to the camp since taking office. “This is a historic meeting.”

The others echoed the sentiments. “Today will be remembered as a historic day,” Mr. Yoon said. Mr. Kishida agreed, saying the fact that the three could get together “means that we are indeed making a new history as of today.”

A stronger collaboration with Japan and South Korea could be a significant pillar in Mr. Biden’s strategy to counter China.Credit...Samuel Corum for The New York Times

The leaders agreed to establish a three-way hotline for crisis communications, enhance ballistic missile cooperation and expand joint military exercises. They issued a written “commitment to consult” in which they resolved “to coordinate our responses to regional challenges, provocations, and threats affecting our collective interests and security.”

The commitment is not as far-reaching as NATO’s mutual security pact, which deems an attack on one member to be an attack on all, nor does it go as far as the defense treaties that the United States has separately with Japan and South Korea. But it cements the idea that the three powers share a special bond and expect to coordinate strategies where possible.

China has derided the idea of a “mini-NATO” in Asia, accusing Washington of being provocative, but aides to Mr. Biden stressed the difference from the Atlantic alliance. “It’s explicitly not a NATO for the Pacific,” said Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser.

Mr. Biden and his aides maintained that the collaboration sealed at Camp David should not be seen as aimed at China or any other country. “This summit was not about China. This was not the purpose,” the president said. “But obviously China came up.” Instead, he said, “this summit was really about our relationship with each other and defining cooperation across an entire range of issues.”

Still, no one had any doubt about the context against which the meeting was taking place. The Camp David Principles issued by the leaders did not directly mention China, but it did “reaffirm the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” a warning against aggressive military actions by Beijing.

The documents released were more explicit about nuclear-armed North Korea and the joint efforts they will take to counter its military, cyber and cryptocurrency money laundering threats.

Looming in the backdrop was Mr. Trump, whose mercurial actions and bursts of hostility while president flummoxed Japanese and South Korean leaders accustomed to more stable interactions with Washington.

At various points, he threatened to withdraw from the U.S. defense treaty with Japan and to pull all American troops out of South Korea. He abruptly canceled joint military exercises with South Korea at the request of North Korea and told interviewers after leaving office that if he had a second term he would force Seoul to pay billions of dollars to maintain the United States military presence.

The summit at Camp David was aimed at ending decades of friction between the two Asian countries.Credit...Samuel Corum for The New York Times

The Asian leaders hope that the three-way accord fashioned by Mr. Biden will help avoid wild swings in the future. The president and his guests sought to institutionalize their new collaboration by committing to annual three-way meetings in the future by whoever holds their offices.

“There’s definitely risk-hedging when it comes to political leadership,” said Shihoko Goto, acting director of the Asia program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.”

By deepening the cooperation below the leader level through various new mechanisms, she said, the governments may be able to maintain functional ties even if a volatile president occupies the White House.

“If a new U.S. president were to avoid going to international conferences or had no interest in engaging, the trilateral institutionalization of ties should be strong enough so that working relations between the three countries would continue,” she said. “So it won’t matter if a president didn’t show up since the working-level military or economic cooperation would be well-established.”

It is not the first time allies have questioned the United States’ commitment to its partners. Despite Mr. Biden’s promise at the NATO summit last month that Washington would “not waver” in its support for Ukraine and western allies, some leaders openly asked whether the U.S. foreign policy agenda would be upended by the outcome of the next election.

Ukraine needed to make military progress more or less “by the end of this year” because of the coming elections in the United States, President Petr Pavel of the Czech Republic warned on the first day of the summit.

Mr. Biden in Finland was also asked about whether the U.S. support of NATO would endure. “No one can guarantee the future, but this is the best bet anyone could make,” Mr. Biden said then.

At Camp David on Friday, neither Mr. Yoon nor Mr. Kishida mentioned Mr. Trump directly in their public comments, but they seemed intent on ensuring that their agreement persists beyond their tenures. Mr. Yoon said the nations were focused on building an alliance that could last for years to come. The three nations will hold a “global leadership youth summit to strengthen ties between our future generations,” he said.

Endurance was a running theme throughout the day. “We’re opening a new era,” Mr. Sullivan told reporters shortly before the meetings opened, “and we’re making sure that era has staying power.”

Ana Swanson contributed reporting from Washington.

Peter Baker is the chief White House correspondent and has covered the last five presidents for The Times and The Washington Post. He is the author of seven books, most recently “The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021,” with Susan Glasser. More about Peter Baker

Zolan Kanno-Youngs is a White House correspondent covering a range of domestic and international issues in the Biden White House, including homeland security and extremism. He joined The Times in 2019 as the homeland security correspondent. More about Zolan Kanno-Youngs

The New York Times · by Zolan Kanno-Youngs · August 18, 2023

13. Experts react: The US-Japan-South Korea summit was ‘historic.’ But what did it accomplish?

New Atlanticist

August 18, 2023

Experts react: The US-Japan-South Korea summit was ‘historic.’ But what did it accomplish?

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/experts-react/experts-react-the-us-japan-south-korea-summit-was-historic-but-what-did-it-accomplish/?utm

By Atlantic Council experts

Long-lasting friendships start at camp. On Friday, US President Joe Biden hosted the first-ever trilateral summit bringing together the leaders of the United States, Japan, and South Korea at Camp David in Maryland. Biden convened this summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to cement a common security agenda among the three countries to deter China and North Korea.

The summit resulted in a joint statement dubbed “The Spirit of Camp David,” along with separate trilateral principles and a joint commitment to consult with one another on security threats. Below, Atlantic Council experts explain what this historic summit and its resulting commitments will mean for security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Click to jump to an expert analysis:

Matthew Kroenig: Biden seizes a historic opportunity

Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi: This time is different for trilateral cooperation

Thomas Cynkin: “The Spirit of Camp David” is a major effort to establish precedent

Jessica Taylor: The hard work ahead includes securing semiconductor supply chains

Parker Novak: The summit will have ripple effects in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands

Biden seizes a historic opportunity

Today’s summit bringing together the leaders of the United States, Japan, and South Korea is a historic step that could greatly strengthen US alliances in Asia and improve the United States’ position in a new era of strategic competition. As revisionist autocracies such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea increasingly work together to challenge the US-led rules-based order, the United States has sought to bring together like-minded democratic allies in Europe and Asia to build a free-world coalition to defend that order.

This has been relatively easier in Europe, where the United States already has a large, longstanding, and successful multilateral alliance in NATO. It has been more complicated in the Indo-Pacific, where the United States has a hub-and-spoke framework of bilateral alliances with Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. The United States has been building new multilateral frameworks like AUKUS (Australia-United Kingdom-United States) and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or “Quad,” and it has tried for years to encourage deeper trilateral cooperation with Japan and South Korea. Historical animosities between Japan and South Korea have made this difficult, to the detriment of US national security strategy. But a new administration in South Korea with a new approach to foreign policy and US relations has created a historic opportunity and the Biden administration has been right to seize it.

—Matthew Kroenig is vice president and senior director of the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security and the Atlantic Council’s director of studies.

This time is different for trilateral cooperation

The summit was another significant step forward to deepen and expand US-Japan-South Korea trilateral security cooperation in areas spanning from defense to economic security in the Indo-Pacific region. However, the success of the trilateral framework hinges not simply on the capacity to deal with the array of agendas, but its consistency, credibility, and sustainability.

Indeed, it is not the first attempt by the United States, Japan, and South Korea to institutionalize trilateral cooperation. The Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group was established in 1999 and lasted until 2003, and the Defense Trilateral Talks begun in 2008 still run to this day. There have also been various other dialogues and initiatives that were quite successful at the operational level but were undermined by the lack of political and strategic follow-through. This time, however, the three leaders are attempting to push through in a top-down manner to institutionalize trilateral cooperation with a life cycle that is not dependent on particular administrations. Nevertheless, the controversial nature of the initiative—particularly in South Korea—makes it vulnerable to becoming a target for populist revisionists. Much, therefore, comes down to how the three countries can prove to each other’s publics that trilateral cooperation is mutually beneficial and effective for their intertwined national security interests, as well as work with other allies and likeminded states for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Another challenge is how to operationalize trilateral cooperation that goes beyond the Korean peninsula to also focus on the Taiwan Strait, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. In particular, how the United States, Japan, and South Korea can coordinate their readiness to effectively deter and defend against worst-case scenarios, such as a simultaneous contingency in the region, that raise questions about capacity. To do so, the three countries will need to not only coordinate their readiness but also expand their operations beyond missile defense and anti-submarine warfare. Such areas might include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; naval mine warfare; cyber and electronic warfare; outer space; evacuation of one another’s citizens; and logistics. Achieving this will require the formulation of trilateral strategies and seamless operational coordination. It will also require the establishment of a trilateral nuclear consultative group, regular drills and trilateral dispatchment of liaison officers, and efforts to ensure technical compatibility and interoperability.

—Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi is a nonresident senior fellow in the Scowcroft Center’s Indo-Pacific Security Initiative, a project assistant professor at the University of Tokyo, and an adjunct senior fellow at the Pacific Forum. 

“The Spirit of Camp David” is a major effort to establish precedent 

This is the first stand-alone trilateral summit among the three countries, and the first Camp David summit hosted by Biden during his presidency, both of which are intended to imbue the summit with special historic significance and symbolism. 

Irrespective of Chinese and North Korean posturing, this does not represent the kernel of a “NATO in Asia.” The United States has an alliance with Japan, and one with South Korea, but the trilateral format is not a triple alliance structure. Rather, it is a strategic partnership among the three countries, a defensive arrangement responding to an array of challenges from both China and North Korea.

In terms of concrete results, we can see strengthened cooperation and coordination across a truly impressive array of areas of mutual interests, starting with institutionalized annual trilateral meetings by leaders and cabinet members. The countries pledged to work together on promoting maritime security and economic security (including supply chain resilience), combating North Korean cyber threats and sanctions evasion, cooperating on missile defense, and conducting trilateral military exercises. 

“The Spirit of Camp David” statement issued by the three leaders is a political agreement, rather than a legal one requiring signature, but it nevertheless is a powerful document. It represents a major effort to establish precedent, create momentum, and set the course for trilateral security cooperation among the three countries. In democracies, administrations come and go; with this statement, the three leaders are attempting to establish a legacy that will continue irrespective of political changes in their respective capitals. They are doing this because the fundamental national security interests of the three countries and the consequent impetus to strengthen cooperation among them transcend the political vagaries of any given administration.

—Thomas Cynkin is a nonresident senior fellow in the Scowcroft Center’s Indo-Pacific Security Initiative and the practice lead, Japan and Northeast Asia, of the Transnational Strategy Group, a global consulting firm operating at the nexus of policy and business.

The hard work ahead includes securing semiconductor supply chains

“The Spirit of Camp David” joint statement is a step in the right direction toward concurrent multilateral defense and semiconductor supply chain cooperation. But it remains to be seen if this cooperation can lead to coordinating the group’s unfettered access to high-end semiconductors when it needs them the most: during regional armed conflict.

The summit occurred amid expected cooperation among China, Russia, and North Korea. It took place amid expectations of yet another North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile launch as tensions heighten on the Korean peninsula, while Chinese and Russian warships sailed jointly close to Japan, and as tensions across the Taiwan Strait continue. This geopolitically fraught environment is a reminder of the ongoing overlapping tensions that could develop into simultaneous armed conflicts.

The likelihood of continued geopolitical tensions involving Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, which house critical nodes of the semiconductor supply chain’s manufacturing capability mandates cooperation to deter conflicts that could impact these nodes. In addition, during a regional conflict, the United States must maintain unfettered access to especially high-end semiconductors to ensure it is able to meet its security and defense article guarantees to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. However, as the supply chain nodes are stovepiped by speciality, a threat to one of the nodes has the probability of disrupting the entire supply chain.

Although high-end semiconductor industry manufacturing giant TSMC and its competitor Samsung have pledged investments in new fabrication facilities abroad, they are likely to maintain the production of high-end chips and those facilities at home. As fabrication plants are specialized, a plant is unable to simply shift from producing low-end chips to high-end chips due to a crisis elsewhere.

Thus, the joint statement announcing that the three will work together “to launch early warning system pilots to expand information sharing and enhance policy coordination on possible disruptions to global supply chains” will be a significant step toward ensuring access to high-end chips during a crisis. But the three states, along with Taiwan, will need to work toward building flexibility in the supply chain. Even if Japan-South Korea-US defense cooperation is successful in deterring regional aggression, threats to the supply chain remain by way of possibly unpredictable events such as climate change–supercharged natural disasters. 

—Jessica Taylor is a nonresident fellow in the Scowcroft Center’s Indo-Pacific Security Initiative. Taylor has served in the US Department of Defense in both military and civil service capacities for nearly twenty years.

The summit will have ripple effects in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands

Friday’s trilateral summit between the United States, Japan, and South Korea is historic. It’s the first time Biden has hosted international leaders at Camp David, a location befitting the significance of the trilateral defense agreement signed by the three nations. 

Its ramifications for the East Asian security architecture are drawing the lion’s share of media attention, as Seoul and Tokyo’s hesitant but growing embrace of each other—strongly encouraged by the United States—is a clear byproduct of increasingly aggressive behavior by the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

What’s not drawing as much coverage are the implications of growing tripartite cooperation between the United States, Japan, and South Korea for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, both of which have become increasingly prominent arenas for geopolitical competition between the PRC, the United States, and the latter’s allies and partners—Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and more.

To curry favor and gain advantage, both sides are showering these crucial subregions with attention and money. In Southeast Asia, the PRC and Japan have dueled over big-ticket infrastructure and industrial projects in countries like Indonesia. In the Pacific Islands, the United States and PRC inked defense agreements with Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, respectively, while South Korea announced plans to double development assistance.

In both subregions, the United States, Japan, and South Korea bring unique competitive advantages to the table. Japan builds high-quality infrastructure, South Korea’s technology sector is ubiquitous, and the United States brings unmatched capacity and resources to bear across economic and security issues. Australia is the largest aid donor to the Pacific Islands, while the United States and Japan are among the largest sources of foreign investment in Southeast Asia.

The joint statement from the Camp David summit specifically states that the United States, Japan, and South Korea will coordinate capacity-building efforts in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands to ensure they are mutually reinforcing and maximally beneficial to both regions. This will help the United States, its allies, and partners make headway on their strategic goals and advance development and prosperity for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.

—Parker Novak is a nonresident fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub as well as with the Scowcroft Center’s Indo-Pacific Security Initiative.

14. CNAS Responds: The Spirit of Camp David: Joint Statement of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States

AUGUST 18, 2023

CNAS Responds: The Spirit of Camp David: Joint Statement of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States

Today, in a historic joint statement, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States announced their united commitment to strengthening their security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Following the joint statement, CNAS experts provided their analysis and insights on the new trilateral partnership.

All quotes may be used with attribution. To arrange an interview, email Alexa Whaley at awhaley@cnas.org.

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Richard Fontaine, Chief Executive Officer:

For more than a decade, governments in Japan and South Korea saw in each other more threat than opportunity. But Seoul and Tokyo do not actually pose danger to one another. Instead, both reside in a region where North Korea presents a genuine threat and China deep challenges. Today's Camp David summit marks a watershed moment in making that realization concrete.

The political symbolism of the trilateral summit is meaningful, and the specific commitments on military, economic and other cooperation represent important steps. The real tests will begin once President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida return home to face the domestic reactions to their warming ties. Reaching out to one another, even under US auspices, entails political risk and therefore significant courage. Both deserve praise for it. The administration also deserves credit for making today's meeting possible.

Most important will be the efforts at institutionalizing trilateral and bilateral Seoul-Tokyo ties. Military, intelligence, economic and development cooperation should be normal activities, not subject to the vicissitudes of changes in politics or government. Over the past years they have been anything but. Going forward, regular diplomatic meetings, defense exercises, intelligence sharing mechanisms, development assistance cooperation and more can help make such cooperation endure.

South Korea and Japan, each allied to the United States, are also natural allies of one another. Today's summit represents a major step toward realizing this truth.

Lisa Curtis, Senior Fellow and Director, Indo-Pacific Security Program:

Today’s historic Camp David Summit between the United States, Japan, and South Korea reflects the three nations’ commitment to strengthening trilateral cooperation in the face of ongoing missile provocations from North Korea and intensifying security and economic competition between Washington and Beijing. With commitments to form a new working group to combat North Korean cyber threats, conduct annual multi-domain military exercises, operationalize real-time intelligence sharing on North Korean missile threats, and bolster supply chain resiliency initiatives, they are sending an unmistakable message that they will stand together against military aggression and economic coercion in the Indo-Pacific.

This level of trilateral cooperation would have been unimaginable just a few years ago and is testament to the leadership of both Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who have taken courageous steps to improve bilateral ties. In March, Yoon’s government announced that a Korean foundation—rather than Japanese companies, as the South Korean supreme court ordered in 2018 under Yoon’s predecessor—would compensate victims of forced labor during Japan’s colonial rule over Korea. During a May visit to Seoul, Kishida acknowledged the suffering of Koreans during the Japanese occupation, saying it caused him personal anguish. Continued efforts from Yoon and Kishida to address historical tensions is necessary to sustain the momentum for trilateral cooperation with the United States.

Dr. Duyeon Kim, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Program:

The Camp David summit is truly historic, unimaginable until now, because the Seoul-Tokyo relationship was always fraught with historical disputes miring the two legs of the triangle. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have both shown unprecedented leadership and political courage to begin resetting relations despite criticism and skepticism at home. This trilateral summit was an important opportunity to revive, upgrade and institutionalize three-way cooperation on shared threats and strategic interests at a pressing moment in regional stability and geopolitics. Their agreements are impressively substantive and comprehensive.

Biden, Yoon and Kishida have a chance to make even bigger history that lasts beyond a milestone meeting at Camp David. The biggest challenge will be having their respective governments implement the agreements proactively even when diplomatic spats arise between South Korea and Japan as well as beyond their leadership terms because the Seoul-Tokyo relationship will continue to ebb and flow. If an ultra-leftist South Korean president and an ultra-right wing Japanese leader are elected in their next cycles, or even if Trump or someone like him wins in the U.S., then any one of them could derail all the meaningful, hard work the three countries are putting in right now.

Jacob Stokes, Senior Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Program:

Today’s trilateral summit among the United States, Japan, and South Korea is a watershed moment for Asian security and the post-World War II international order. Threats from North Korea and China have created the conditions for Seoul and Tokyo to improve relations despite persistent historical disputes. Geopolitical challenges alone would not have been enough, though. ROK President Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida deserve praise for taking big political risks domestically to move this agenda forward.

President Biden and his team likewise deserve credit. They have deftly crafted a diplomatic context that will generate political benefits for Yoon and Kishida at home (few venues lack the diplomatic majesty and history of Camp David); prioritized the trilateral from the earliest days of the administration (notably, expanding U.S.-Japan-ROK cooperation was one of the 10 core action items in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy); and sustained their efforts over the course of many years and across administrations (recall the role of Biden and many of his senior officials in facilitating the 2015 Japan-ROK agreement on compensation for victims of wartime sexual exploitation and forced labor).

Going forward, fleshing out the full range of cooperative mechanisms among the three countries will be critical. Further institutionalizing the trilateral relationship can help both in realizing the tangible benefits of working together, and by creating a buffer against future downturns in Japan-ROK relations. And while security cooperation should remain at the center of the trilateral partnership, deepening joint efforts in other areas—from technology to economics, energy, and governance—will also prove worthy investments.

Finally, responses from China, North Korea, and Russia have been typically vituperative regarding what they see as moves toward an “Asian NATO.” Condemnation from authoritarian states should encourage rather than dissuade additional trilateral U.S.-Japan-ROK cooperation. After all, the authoritarians’ strategies rely on driving wedges in the coalition of liberal democracies. At the same time, Washington, Tokyo, and Seoul should work together to craft a trilateral strategy for principled engagement with rival powers. Such diplomacy will need to be tightly coordinated and designed to support the maintenance of peace, stability, prosperity, and freedom in Northeast Asia and beyond. Geopolitics is polarizing the region into blocs. In this environment, allied actions to bolster deterrence should be paired with a joint diplomatic strategy to reinforce stability.

Joshua Fitt, Associate Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Program:

At today’s Camp David summit, President Biden, Prime Minister Kishida, and President Yoon covered a swath of important issues to the U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral relationship. They directed much of their attention to responding to the threat from their increasingly belligerent and capable neighbors (China and North Korea), but also included many notable announcements about new initiatives in diplomacy, technology, economics, and human rights. As the three leaders battle rampant skepticism about the longevity of this upswing in trilateral ties, they are keen to demonstrate that they are building a relationship that is proactive rather than reactive. Instead of meetings driven by international events and crises, the leaders and several cabinet-level officials of the three countries will now meet annually. This move is both a mark of commitment to the strong potential of the trilateral relationship and a recognition that it will take more than one summit to get there.

The foundation of cooperation among the three nations is their unprecedentedly high level of strategic alignment. But the degree to which this progress will be sustainable depends on these ideas being independent of the stewardship of any leader in particular, and instead viewed as an essential representation of the trilateral relationship’s shared values. The fact that all three countries are democracies means it is unavoidable that administrations and policies will change through elections, sometimes drastically. Getting to this point, even with current leadership in place, required overcoming significant political headwinds. The only avenue to avoiding regression is to build a new norm based on resilient systems and mechanisms and to prove its value to domestic audiences.

Hannah Kelley, Research Associate, Technology and National Security Program:

In bold declaration of a shared strategic vision for the Indo-Pacific region, today’s trilateral Joint Statement signals a new era of cooperation for Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States—seemingly out of reach just a few short years ago.

The Statement promises improved trilateral information sharing, commits to increased defense coordination, and restates the importance of “robust cooperation in the economic security and technology spheres.” Noting both the “grave threat(s) to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula” posed by the DPRK, as well as China’s “dangerous and aggressive behavior supporting unlawful maritime claims… in the South China Sea,” the Statement calls for aligned action against foreign information manipulation, economic coercion, and the misuse of surveillance technologies. It likewise notes the importance of “leveraging the unique capabilities” of each state and collaborating meaningfully on STEM research and development, as well as on supply chain resilience across a number of critical and emerging sectors. This includes developing early warning system pilots to chart and respond to potential supply chain disruptions and increasing cooperation on export controls to guard against the diversion and misuse of native technologies.

The fundamental role that tech cooperation plays in the trilateral relationship, and thus in the stability of the Indo-Pacific, cannot be overstated. Given the technological strengths of each state and their critical roles in the region, maintaining vision alignment within each line of effort will be crucial to capturing the momentum of this moment and fully realizing the potential of a prevailing trilateral relationship. I’m eager to see what lasting strides will be made, and particularly interested in what might be accomplished together in the field of biotechnology—an increasingly critical sector.

Sam Howell, Research Assistant, Technology and National Security Program:

On the technology front, the Camp David Summit with Japan and South Korea was a big win for the Biden administration. Japan and South Korea are two important players in the global technology landscape, each bringing unique capabilities and advantages to the table. Close cooperation with both countries is key to the successful implementation of President Biden’s technology agenda.

Despite their shared importance to global technology supply chains, the United States, Japan, and South Korea have struggled to achieve meaningful technology cooperation to date. Japan and South Korea were initially critical of the United States’ October 7 semiconductor export controls, for example, and hesitant to jump on board with their own technology regulations. While Japan eventually unveiled a regulatory framework to complement the United States’ policy, South Korea is still on the fence. Similarly, the United States and Japan have found avenues for cooperation on critical minerals, but South Korea has been relatively less eager to participate. Technology’s inclusion on the agenda at the Camp David Summit suggests that there is a newfound political appetite to confront differences between the three countries in the interest of advancing common interests.

The Joint Statement is a strong start towards greater U.S.-Japan-ROK technology alignment. The statement highlights a few technology areas of particular concern, including semiconductors, batteries, biotechnology, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.

The three countries agreed to work together to bolster supply chain resilience, develop technology standards, boost scientific innovation, and increase access to the STEM talent required to maintain technological competitiveness. They also agreed to enhance cooperation on technology protection measures and research security. It will be interesting to see if this translates into a new round of coordinated export controls on specific technologies. It will also be interesting to see whether Japan and South Korea soon establish outbound investment screening tools to mirror those announced by the United States on August 9.

In short, the Joint Statement is promising, and the Camp David Summit could mark an important turning point in the U.S.-Japan-ROK relationship. Moving forward, President Biden, Prime Minister Kishida, and President Yoon should seek opportunities to institutionalize this progress and make it more difficult for future leaders to reverse course.

Rebecca Wittner, Research Consultant, Indo-Pacific Security Program:

The trilateral U.S.-Japan-ROK summit at Camp David marks the first time that President Biden has invited foreign leaders to convene at this location since he took office. It bears extreme significance in terms of advancing the countries’ shared interests in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The joint statement released today highlights the immense work that the Biden, Kishida, and Yoon administrations have put into this relationship. Historically, relations between Japan and South Korea have been strained by Japan’s imperialist past. However, given South Korea’s proximity to global security threats, President Yoon has demonstrated a groundbreaking willingness to work with Japan, as well as the United States to increase resiliency in the Indo-Pacific.

Threats emanating from China and North Korea challenge the stability of the world order. China’s constant engagement in provocative grey zone activity and North Korea’s rampant missile testing directly threatens both Japan and South Korea. While further removed, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also highlighted the need to bolster deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. As President Biden has prioritized upholding stability in the region, this historical summit was both necessary and timely.

The deliverables from this summit are similarly groundbreaking: annual trilateral meetings, crisis consultations, annual multi-domain exercises, further intelligence-sharing, securing critical supply chains, and much more. Both Beijing and Pyongyang are sure to be on high alert about the summit and statement—state-run newspapers in China have already been inaccurately likening the trilateral bloc to an Asian NATO—and it would be unsurprising if either state were to retaliate in some fashion. Nevertheless, the leaders of the United States, Japan, and Republic of Korea have committed to upholding their shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, as demonstrated by today’s joint statement.

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All CNAS experts are available for interviews. To arrange one, contact Alexa Whaley at awhaley@cnas.org.

15.  At Camp David, Biden hails ‘next era of partnership’ between U.S., South Korea and Japan

At Camp David, Biden hails ‘next era of partnership’ between U.S., South Korea and Japan

By JENNIFER HABERKORN and JONATHAN LEMIRE

08/18/2023 04:43 PM EDT

Updated: 08/18/2023 06:16 PM EDT

Politico

Threats from China and North Korea shadowed the historic trilateral summit

From left, South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol, President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hold a joint press conference at Camp David, near Thurmont, Md., on Friday. | AP

08/18/2023 04:43 PM EDT

CAMP DAVID, Md. — President Joe Biden on Friday signed historic agreements with the leaders of South Korea and Japan, bridging the fraught history between the two countries with promises of strengthening each nation’s economic and national security interests.

In what was a clear message to China, Biden welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for the first trilateral meeting between the three countries that wasn’t held on the sidelines of an international gathering.

“This is the first summit I’ve hosted at Camp David, and I can think of no more fitting location to symbolize our new era of cooperation,” Biden said at a joint press conference held at the rustic presidential campsite in the Catoctin Mountains, about 60 miles north of Washington.

The looming threats of China and North Korea shadowed the summit. Both Japan and South Korea are well within range of Pyongyang’s rocket tests, and both nations also have attempted to curb Beijing’s growing strength in the region. Biden saluted the “bravery” of both Asian leaders by setting aside generations of tensions between their countries, and he vowed that the new formalized alliance would be “unwavering in our unity and unmatched in our resolve.”

The multihour summit between the three leaders took place in a retreat filled with wooded paths once walked by each U.S. president since Franklin Roosevelt and by foreign leaders ranging from British Prime Ministers Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and even Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Administration officials hoped the informality of the presidential retreat — hosting its first world leaders meeting since 2015 — would foster what Biden on Friday called “the next era of partnership” with South Korea and Japan. The two Asian countries have long been at loggerheads with deep hostility stemming from Japan’s colonial rule over Korea from 1910 to 1945.

Freed of the humidity of Washington and formality of the White House, each leader appeared without neckties. Biden held individual meetings with each foreign leader before the trilateral meeting and press conference.

The administration announced agreements to improve coordination on ballistic missile defense and information sharing, to contribute economic data such as an early warning system for supply chain disruptions, and to better coordinate national security such as multiyear plans to hold military exercises.

Biden stressed that the agreements would remain in place — even if Donald Trump were to return to the White House.

“His America First policy — walking us away from the rest of the world — makes us weaker, not stronger,” said Biden. He added that the summit launched “institutional changes” that “makes our relationships stronger and stay in place.”

Both Japan and Korea also pledged to donate funding to help Hawaii recover from its recent deadly wildfires.

With an eye on threats imposed by both North Korea and China, the White House’s aim is to solidify the three countries’ cooperation for the long term. To guard against political changes in any of the three countries — including next year’s U.S. presidential election — the agreement commits each country to annual meetings and military exercises, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said earlier Friday.

“We’re opening a new era and we’re making sure that era has staying power,” Sullivan said. He stressed the historic nature of the agreement, adding that it “sets the conditions for a more peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific and a stronger and more secure United States of America.”

White House officials credited Biden for laying the groundwork for the handshakes since the beginning of his term. The president met frequently with both leaders, and other officials, including Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, did the same with their counterparts at international meetings.

White House aides believe the agreements will be judged by history as a signature accomplishment of a president who has deeply comfortable on matters of foreign policy. Once Russia invaded Ukraine, Biden rallied NATO and other democracies to Kyiv’s defense, revitalizing alliances and making the battle against autocracies a centerpiece of his presidency.

And Biden has long had his eye on China, seemingly coming close to fulfilling the goal of “pivoting to Asia,” a foreign policy prize that has eluded many of his predecessors. Biden has painted the 21st century as one of competition between the United States and China and many administration officials believe that China’s weakening economy and struggles with the Covid pandemic have allowed the U.S. to assert more influence in the Pacific.

And to combat China’s push in that region, the Biden administration also strengthened ties with the other nations in the so-called Quad — India, Australia, and Japan — and brokered the sale of nuclear submarines to Australia. And at a time of rising tensions with Beijing, the White House has also pressed it not to further assist Moscow in its invasion of Ukraine and has looked to it as an influence over North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

As part of the agreement, the countries committed to creating a communication channel to share information expeditiously if one faces a threat, such as a provocation from North Korea.

At Friday’s news conference, Biden downplayed the role China played on the summit’s agenda, but he acknowledged it was a focus. Beijing, predictably, kept a close watch on the meeting in the Maryland woods.

“Attempts to cobble together various exclusionary groupings and bring bloc confrontation and military blocs into the Asia-Pacific are not going to get support and will only be met with vigilance and opposition from regional countries,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin.

Sullivan pushed back on that critique, saying the summit is not “against anyone.”

“It is for a vision of the Indo-Pacific that is free, open, secure and prosperous.”

Phelim Kine contributed to this report.

POLITICO

Politico

16. Biden brokers new defense commitments between Japan, South Korea

Biden brokers new defense commitments between Japan, South Korea

Defense News · by Bryant Harris · August 18, 2023

WASHINGTON ― U.S. President Joe Biden brokered a series of trilateral defense initiatives with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at Camp David on Friday as the two U.S. allies move past decades of strained relations.

The agreements between the three countries include annual trilateral military exercises, ballistic missile defense cooperation and shoring up the security of defense supply chains. The U.S. has worked to reconcile Japan and South Korea for well over a decade as it seeks to bolster its alliances in Asia to counter China and contain North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

“We’re elevating our trilateral defense collaboration to deliver in the Indo-Pacific region,” Biden said. “This is not about a day, a week or month. This is about decades and decades of relationships that we’re building.”

The leaders and some of their top cabinet officials agreed to meet at least once a year — in the hope that their commitments will outlast their time in office. The summit marked the first time Biden has hosted foreign leaders at the president’s country residence Camp David, intended to be a symbol of its importance. Indeed, the statement released — titled “The Spirit of Camp David” — calls this moment a “hinge point of history.”

Biden announced the three countries would establish a security hotline to consult with each other, and a joint statement announced “annual, named, multi-domain trilateral exercises on a regular basis.” This would include air, land, sea, undersea and cyber components.

The statement is full of the three countries’ future commitments, likely in response to the two U.S rivals it names. The first is China, whose maritime claims in the South China Sea it describes as “dangerous and aggressive.” China has increased its military drills around the island nation of Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory. The statement calls for “peace and stability” in the Taiwan Strait.

The U.S. regularly conducts freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea and has sought to deepen military cooperation with its Southeast Asian partners who have overlapping claims in the disputed region.

The second country invoked in the statement is North Korea, whose “unprecedented number of ballistic missile launches” continue to rattle its neighbor to the south and Japan. The three countries “remain committed to re-establishing dialogue” with Pyongyang with no preconditions, according to the statement. Thus far, North Korea has declined invitations for detente.

The U.S. reaffirmed its extended deterrence commitments to both countries, and the three allies vowed that by the end of the year they would begin sharing data regarding North Korean missile launches.

“We are committed to pursuing enhanced ballistic missile defense cooperation to counter [North Korean] nuclear and missile threats,” the statement read.

The three countries will also collaborate more closely on supply chain security, which includes several vulnerable areas of the defense-industrial base that are often contingent on Chinese-dominated markets. These include critical minerals, batteries, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

They plan to expand information sharing and launch early warning systems to combat major supply chain disruptions as well as “better prepare us to confront and overcome economic coercion.”

The Biden administration and Congress have sought to lessen China’s influence over critical minerals like cobalt, which is needed to produce batteries and hard-target penetrators for the military.

The U.S. has also sought to onshore semiconductor production, fearful that a possible Chinese attack on Taiwan could upend a global shortage as most microelectronics are produced in east Asia.

Additionally, the Biden administration has convinced Japan to mirror sweeping U.S. export controls on semiconductor technology to China. The U.S. hopes this will hobble China’s AI weapons development and military quantum computing, though this also impacts civilian use for the technology such as weather forecasting and vaccine development. The joint statement vows to “strengthen trilateral cooperation on export controls.”

The three leaders also reaffirmed their support for aiding Ukraine “against Russia’s unprovoked and brutal war of aggression.”

“We believe the lasting lesson from this catastrophic war of aggression must be the international community’s abiding will to uphold the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty and the peaceful resolution of disputes,” the statement read. “We reaffirm our view that when these foundational principles are rejected anywhere, they represent a threat to our region.”

About Bryant Harris and Noah Robertson

Bryant Harris is the Congress reporter for Defense News. He has covered U.S. foreign policy, national security, international affairs and politics in Washington since 2014. He has also written for Foreign Policy, Al-Monitor, Al Jazeera English and IPS News.

Noah Robertson is the Pentagon reporter at Defense News. He previously covered national security for the Christian Science Monitor. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and government from the College of William & Mary in his hometown of Williamsburg, Virginia.

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

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

defense.gov · by Jim Garamone

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.

Today's summit reaffirmed that cooperation among our three countries delivers security and prosperity for our people, the Indo-Pacific region and the world."

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III

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."

All three leaders believe this to be an inflection point in history, Biden said. "We're called to lead in new ways to work together to stand together," he said. "And today, I'm proud to say our nations are answering that call."

Exercise Keen Sword

U.S. airmen of the 18th Security Forces Squadron, and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, 51st Infantry Regiment, patrol a sidewalk during a simulated bilateral search while participating in Exercise Keen Sword 2023 at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 13, 2022.

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The three nations agreed to elevate defense collaboration. This includes launching annual multidomain military exercises to bring trilateral defense cooperation to unprecedented levels, the president said.

The nations will also speed up information sharing on North Korea's missile launches and cyber activities which will strengthen ballistic missile defense cooperation.

"Critically, we've all committed to swiftly consult with each other in response to threats to any one of our countries from whatever source that occurs," Biden said. "That means we'll have a hotline to share information and coordinate our responses whenever there is a crisis in the region or affecting any one of our countries."

Aerial Exercise

South Korea and the U.S. conduct a combined aerial exercise in conjunction with the deployment of U.S. B-1B strategic bombers over the South Korea, March 19, 2023.

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The three nations reaffirmed their commitments to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and address economic coercion. Biden said. "We're going to continue to counter threats from [North Korea] including cryptocurrency money laundering to the tune of billions of dollars, and potential arms transfer in support of Russia's brutal war against Ukraine," he said. "Together, we're going to stand up for international law, freedom of navigation and a peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea."

President Yoon noted that Camp David has been the site of many historic meetings over the years. "From this moment on, Camp David, will be remembered as a historic place where the Republic of Korea, the United States and Japan, proclaimed that we will bolster the rules-based international order and play key roles to enhance regional security and prosperity based on our shared values of freedom, human rights and rule of law," he said through a translator. "The stronger coordination between Korea, the U.S. and Japan requires more robust institutional foundations. Moreover, challenges that threaten regional security must be addressed by us building a stronger commitment to working together."

Kishida said the international community is at a turning point in history. "In order to allow the potential of our trilateral strategic collaboration to bloom and to blossom, I wish to take this moment to raise the security coordination between Japan, ROK and the U.S. to new heights," he said.

Spotlight: Focus on Indo-Pacific

In a written statement, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III called the meeting historic. "Today's summit reaffirmed that cooperation among our three countries delivers security and prosperity for our people, the Indo-Pacific region and the world," he said. "We are working more closely than ever with the ROK and Japan in support of a common vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

defense.gov · by Jim Garamone

18. Seoul, Washington, Tokyo to bolster cooperation in supply chains, new tech, financial stability

Seoul, Washington, Tokyo to bolster cooperation in supply chains, new tech, financial stability

The Korea Times · August 19, 2023

President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrive for a joint press conference after their summit at Camp David in Maryland, Friday (local time). EPA-Yonhap

Supply chain disruption warning system, 3-way finance ministerial meeting to be launched

By Nam Hyun-woo

South Korea, the United States and Japan agreed to form a tight-knit economic cooperation framework during a trilateral summit between their leaders at Camp David, the U.S. presidential retreat in Maryland, Friday (local time), as they believe the three-way partnership can create a synergy to strengthen economic security.

During a press conference after the summit, the leaders of the three countries promised to strengthen trilateral economic cooperation by employing measures in various sectors of their economies.

In the joint statement, titled the Spirit of Camp David, the leaders promised to "maintain focus on building robust cooperation in the economic security and technology spheres, leveraging the unique capabilities that each of our countries brings to bear."

In doing so, the leaders acknowledged the importance of deepening their Trilateral Economic Security Dialogue and decided to launch pilot projects for an early warning system to expand information sharing and enhance policy coordination on possible disruptions to global supply chains.

"In the field of economic security directly linked to the economies of the three countries, we will work to expand our strategic partnership," Yoon said. "To ensure global supply chain resilience and energy security, we pledged to bolster our trilateral cooperation to manage global supply chain risks, and an early warning system will be established together."

The early warning system will be aimed at setting up a mechanism for the timely exchange of information regarding supply chain disruptions and to facilitate joint responses by integrating early warning systems at the overseas diplomatic missions of the three countries.

President Joe Biden looks on as President Yoon Suk Yeol shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a joint news conference at Camp David in Maryland, Friday (local time). AP-YonhapInitially, Seoul and Washington were attempting to set up an early warning system, but the leaders decided to expand it into a trilateral structure that also includes Japan to jointly address challenges that may impact supply chain stability.

According to Seoul's presidential office, discussions at the Trilateral Economic Security Dialogues will determine further details such as major mission locations for the system.

"The early warning system will begin by identifying key supply chain partner nations in key items such as semiconductors and rare minerals and a regular consultation process will be initiated among the three countries' overseas diplomatic missions in these identified nations," said senior presidential secretary for economic affairs Choi Sang-mok.

"This process will involve the exchange of information regarding the countries' policy trends, potential disruptions in supply chains and the corresponding response strategies for critical items," Choi added.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, accompanied by Foreign Minister Park Jin, left, and Director of National Security Cho Tae-yong, speaks during a meeting with President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Camp David in Maryland, Friday. AP-Yonhap

The three countries will also launch projects for the joint development of critical and emerging technologies, such as advanced semiconductors, supercomputing, quantum and artificial intelligence. The countries will raise $6 million (8.03 billion won) in research funds and have an expert meeting next month to identify the subjects of the joint projects.

Along with developing new technologies, the leaders noted the importance of protecting them from being illegally exported or stolen.

To this end, the countries will begin inaugural exchanges between the U.S. Disruptive Technology Strike Force and the counterparts of South Korea and Japan to deepen information-sharing and coordination across the enforcement agencies. South Korea's Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will participate in the inaugural meeting.

"One of our top interests is cooperation with the Disruptive Technology Strike Force," presidential secretary for economic security Wang Yoon-jong said.

U.S. President Joe Biden, center, accompanied by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, pauses while speaking during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and President Yoon Suk Yeol at Camp David in Maryland, Friday (local time). AP-Yonhap

"We have been engaging this, as we see it as an opportunity to benchmark and learn from the strategies used by the strike force to counteract increasingly sophisticated attempts at intellectual property theft."

Biden also said the three countries will enhance cooperation between their development finance institutions "to mobilize more financing for quality infrastructure, and secure communications technology to help low-income and middle-income countries throughout the region take on the challenges that matter most to their people."

To improve financial stability, the leaders decided to launch a trilateral finance ministers' meeting to discuss cooperation in stabilizing their financial and foreign currency markets, which will contribute to investments and exchanges between the countries. Depending on further discussions, meetings can be take place on a regular basis like other trilateral ministerial talks that the leaders agreed to hold annually.

One remaining question is whether the three countries' enhanced economic partnership can translate into actual benefits for South Koreans, because China is still Korea's biggest economic partner, while Friday's agreements showcase South Korea's preference for the U.S. over China when it comes to economic policies.

Seoul's presidential office and Biden himself stressed that the new agreements do not target a certain country, but seek to strengthen supply chain stability and the resilience of the three countries. However, the measures are widely accepted as the countries' attempt to mitigate China's economic influence.

In the joint statement, the leaders pledged to launch the supply chain early warning system to "confront and overcome economic coercion" and stated that the countries will "continue to strengthen trilateral cooperation on export controls to prevent our technologies from being diverted for military or dual-use capabilities."

"Yoon is making a clear and decisive preference for the U.S. over China in both security and economic aspects, including semiconductors. Given South Korea's deeply partisan politics, Yoon's decision will undoubtedly attract scrutiny from his critics," said Lee Seong-hyon, a senior fellow at George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations.

"Therefore, although Yoon made this bold diplomatic move, delivering positive economic outcomes would be a crucial step for Yoon to secure support for his foreign policy," Lee added.

"There can be multiple factors that impact the supply chain, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or other economic security issues," Choi, the senior presidential secretary for economic affairs, said, when asked if the early warning system is targeting China.

"Establishing collaboration among the three countries offers a more comprehensive assurance of supply chain stability compared to bilateral cooperation. This will enable enhanced stability for our companies and businesses," he added.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, center, attends a trilateral summit at Camp David in Maryland, Friday (local time). EPA-Yonhap

The Korea Times · August 19, 2023

19. Yoon, Biden agree to closely cooperate to strengthen credibility of US extended deterrence

Yoon, Biden agree to closely cooperate to strengthen credibility of US extended deterrence

The Korea Times · August 19, 2023

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden share a joke at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland, Aug. 18. Yonhap 

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed Friday to continue to closely cooperate on strengthening the credibility of the U.S. extended deterrence commitment to South Korea, the presidential office said.

The two leaders held a bilateral meeting ahead of a trilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland and discussed the South Korea-U.S. alliance, as well as regional and global issues, the office said in a press release.

"The two leaders noted the faithful implementation of the Washington Declaration agreed in April, through the successful launch of the South Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) and the deployment of a U.S. nuclear submarine, and agreed to continue to closely cooperate to strengthen the credibility of extended deterrence," the press release said.

"President Biden reaffirmed the U.S.' ironclad defense commitment and extended deterrence commitment to South Korea," it continued.

Extended deterrence refers to the U.S. commitment to use all of its military capabilities, including nuclear weapons, to defend an ally.

Yoon and Biden last held a bilateral meeting during the South Korean president's state visit to Washington in April and adopted the Washington Declaration calling for the establishment of the NCG and the increased visibility of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula.

During Friday's meeting, they reaffirmed their strong commitment to achieving sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula through the complete denuclearization of North Korea while agreeing to strengthen cooperation against North Korea's exports of labor and illegal cyber activities and to block channels of funding for North Korea's nuclear and missile development.

They also noted the close cooperation between their countries on economic security and cutting-edge technologies, expressed hope for further cooperation on artificial intelligence, semiconductors and nuclear power, and shared the view that the trilateral summit with Kishida will open a new chapter for trilateral cooperation.

"President Biden noted that President Yoon Suk Yeol's efforts to normalize South Korea-Japan relations laid the foundation for strengthened South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation," the press release said. (Yonhap)

The Korea Times · August 19, 2023

20. Trilateral summit commitments will effectively bolster cooperation to alliance-like levels: experts

Alliance like or Alliance lite?

Trilateral summit commitments will effectively bolster cooperation to alliance-like levels: experts

koreatimes.co.kr

U.S. President Joe Biden, center, looks on as South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, shakes hands with Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a joint news conference on Friday, Aug. 18, at Camp David, the presidential retreat, near Thurmont, Md. AP-Yonhap

The agreements reached at a trilateral summit between the leaders of South Korea, Japan and the United States Friday will heighten the countries’ three-way cooperation to new levels just short of forming a formal alliance, U.S. experts said.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed to consult swiftly with one another when any of their three countries face regional challenges, provocations or threats during their historic three-way summit held at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland.

Biden said the leaders have also agreed to elevate the countries’ defense collaboration by conducting “annual multi-domain military exercises” that will bring their trilateral defense cooperation to “unprecedented levels.”

Victor Cha, senior vice president for Asia and Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a think tank based in Washington, said the countries may be unable to call it a formal alliance but that it certainly sounds like one.

“I know that for political reasons they cannot talk about a trilateral alliance. But if you look at all of the new high-level trilateral meetings set up from the president down to the cabinet-level and the range of issues they cover, it almost looks like they are reproducing what they do bilaterally with each country to a trilateral format,” he told Yonhap News Agency in an email.

“They may not call it a trilateral alliance. But it sure has the aroma of one,” added Cha.

Andrew Yeo, a professor of politics from the Catholic University of America, nearly agreed, saying the U.S. may not be interested in building a new treaty alliance but a “robust partnership” that will serve the same purpose.

Camp David summit opens new chapter in Korea-US-Japan partnership

“The U.S. has moved away from the post-1945 alliance model of setting up mutual defense treaties to creating alliance structures that are more flexible and resilient,” said Yeo, who is also a senior fellow at the Brooking Institution, a nonprofit organization based in Washington.

“I do not think the U.S. (nor its allies) are interested in creating an Asian NATO. Rather, they want to build a robust partnership that also overlap and engage other existing bilateral, trilateral, and minilateral groupings to address threats from China and North Korea,” he added.

One of the key accomplishments of the trilateral summit was a commitment to consult trilaterally and to coordinate responses to regional challenges, provocations and threats facing any of the three countries, which U.S. officials said will further cement the countries’ three-way cooperation for years to come.

The new commitments by the leaders could well be reversed by subsequent administrations in their home countries, but it would be difficult to do so, the experts noted.

“All statements, including a legally binding international treaty can be breached. However, the “commitment to consult” reflects the political will of the three governments with the expectation that future governments will also adhere to this commitment,” Yeo said.

“Holding regularly, frequent meetings across various agencies can help institutionalize relations which can increase the chance of U.S.-Japan-Korea trilateral commitments to extend longer term,” he added.

Cha noted the scope of trilateral dialogue the countries will be engaged in.

“I think that the creation of a suite of regular trilaterals at the cabinet-level, including foreign ministers, defense, commerce, national security advisors, as well as leader-level summits on a portfolio of issues including defense exercises, missile defense, intel-sharing, economic security, supply chains, cyber, AI, etc. is a totality of commitment to trilateralism that is historic and should be able to last into future administrations,” he said.

Bruce Klingner, senior research fellow at the Washington-based Heritage Foundation, highlighted the speed with which the countries seek to implement their new commitments.

“All the actions taken at Camp David face potential reversal by subsequent administrations. That is why the three leaders are attempting to make rapid, extensive progress on enhancing trilateral cooperation and institutionalizing its implementation so that it is more difficult or less advantageous for subsequent administrations to reverse the progress,” he said. (Yonhap)

koreatimes.co.kr

21. U.S., Japan, South Korea agree to hold annual talks after Camp David summit

U.S., Japan, South Korea agree to hold annual talks after Camp David summit

Biden, Kishida and Yoon also pledge stronger supply chains for chips, critical minerals

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/U.S.-Japan-South-Korea-agree-to-hold-annual-talks-after-Camp-David-summit

HIROYUKI AKIYAMA, Nikkei staff writer

August 19, 2023 01:13 JSTUpdated on August 19, 2023 06:21 JST

WASHINGTON -- The leaders of the U.S., Japan and South Korea agreed on Friday to hold at least one trilateral meeting each year as they pledged broad cooperation on security and economic challenges facing their nations.

The U.S. and its two East Asian allies would increase their defense cooperation to "unprecedented levels," U.S. President Joe Biden told a news conference alongside Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at the Camp David presidential retreat in the state of Maryland, just outside the American capital.

Friday's summit, the first standalone meeting between leaders of the three nations, came amid a rapprochement between Japan and South Korea as well as rising tensions between the U.S. and China.

Kishida, who earlier said the talks marked a "new era" in cooperation between the three countries, said these times demand that they realize "the potential of our strategic partnership."

The leaders' joint statement, titled "The Spirit of Camp David," said the three nations "will hold trilateral meetings between our leaders, foreign ministers, defense ministers, and national security advisors at least annually, complementing existing trilateral meetings between our respective foreign and defense ministries."

The Camp David summit marks the first time U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have met together outside the sidelines of larger international gatherings.  © Reuters

Yoon said a new channel for communications would allow them to "swiftly coordinate and respond together in case an urgent issue occurs in the region."

While affirming their cooperation on dealing with North Korea, a long-standing challenge for the U.S., Japan and South Korea, the leaders also signaled a united stance on topics related to China's rising geopolitical and economic influence.

The three leaders renewed their opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific region, and reaffirmed "the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the international community."

They indicated that economic security would form a new pillar of their partnership. To confront " economic coercion," they pledged to work together on building more resilient supply chains in semiconductors, batteries and other technologies.

The three nations will also work together on technology security and standards, clean energy and energy security, biotechnology, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and scientific research, according to the statement.

The three countries will start an annual Trilateral Indo-Pacific Dialogue "to coordinate implementation of our Indo-Pacific approaches and to continually identify new areas for common action." They also pledged support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Pacific Island nations on climate resilience and other challenges.

The three leaders' last meeting was in May at the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Kishida and Yoon have held their own summits in an attempt to move past historical grievances between their countries.

Biden thanked Kishida and Yoon for "the political courage that you both demonstrated to resolve the difficult issues that stood in the way for a long time of a close relationship" between Japan and South Korea.

22. Japan, South Korea and U.S. inaugurate a 'new era' of cooperation

Japan, South Korea and U.S. inaugurate a 'new era' of cooperation

japantimes.co.jp · by No Author · August 19, 2023

U.S. President Joe Biden walks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol as the three arrive for a joint news conference during a trilateral summit at Camp David, near Thurmont, Maryland, on Friday. | AFP-JIJI

By Gabriele Ninivaggi and Jesse Johnson

STAFF WRITERS

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Aug 19, 2023

The leaders of Japan, South Korea and the United States inaugurated “a new era” in trilateral cooperation on Friday at a historic meeting at the rustic Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland, agreeing to expand and cement engagement in a variety of fields.

“Today, we've made history with the first ever standalone summit between the leaders of our three countries,” U.S. President Joe Biden said at a joint news conference. “America’s commitment to both countries is ironclad.”

At the highly symbolic venue — traditionally reserved for historic diplomatic announcements — the three leaders highlighted their unwavering commitment to institutionalizing trilateral cooperation in a broad swath of areas as diverse as diplomacy, education and security, while also noting the need to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.

japantimes.co.jp · by No Author · August 19, 2023

23. Fixation on trilateral military cooperation with US, Japan puts Korean peace last

Fixation on trilateral military cooperation with US, Japan puts Korean peace last

Posted on : Aug.17,2023 14:46 KST Modified on : Aug.17,2023 14:46 KST

https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/1104664.html

If there’s anything the leaders of the three countries should be working together on, it’s reducing tensions

US President Joe Biden greets South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on May 21 ahead of their trilateral summit on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, Japan. (AP/Yonhap)

Is all cooperation a good thing?The dictionary defines “cooperation” as “joining forces to help one another.” In itself, there’s nothing bad about that at all. It’s certainly much better than dividing people or fighting among each other.But the definition also does not consider the question of what these parties are joining forces and helping each other to do. They could be cooperating to beat up on someone powerless or to steal from others.Mencius categorized the major virtues that human beings should observe into four types: benevolence, righteousness, propriety and wisdom. He also said the roots of these four virtues lay in the mind that feels compassion for others, the mind that despises evil, the mind that yields to others, and the mind that knows right from wrong. A central teaching of Confucianism is that we should cultivate our minds to practice these four virtues.Laozi felt differently. “Do thieves also have ‘benevolence,’ ‘righteousness,’ ‘propriety,’ and ‘wisdom’?” he asked Robber Zhi, a famous thief at the time in ancient China.Without hesitation, Robber Zhi replied, “Propriety is moving first before the others, righteousness is thinking of one’s own band, wisdom is knowing whether one has succeeded, and benevolence is when everyone fairly distributes what has been stolen.” In other words, even the best virtues are vain when one’s mind is focused on riches.South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, US President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are suddenly putting great emphasis on “cooperation.” It is entirely to be expected that three countries would be joining forces to help each other — but what are they aiming to achieve with that? What agenda will be discussed at the trilateral summit scheduled to take place at Camp David on Friday, and what agreement will be reached?Cooperation isn’t always a virtueThe White House has not spoken of a concrete agenda, saying only that there would be a great deal of things to discuss and that it looked forward to “historic” discussions.But news outlets in Japan have been reporting that the dumping of contaminated water from Fukushima will be one of the subjects discussed at Camp David. According to them, Kishida is set to meet individually with Yoon and Biden to enlist their support for the water’s release into the ocean, citing a “scientific basis” for its decision.It would scarcely be enough if the three leaders were cooperating to stop the pollution of international waters as a shared asset belonging to all humankind. But if they are joining forces specifically to contaminate the seas with radioactive substances, how are they any better than Robber Zhi?It’s contradictory for them to talk about helping each other uphold “freedom of navigation” and a “rule-based international order” in the Indo-Pacific while contaminating the Pacific Ocean environment at the same time.Moreover, freedom of navigation is an international law that applies to travels that cause no harm to other nations — yet the US Navy has been attaching “freedom of navigation” rhetoric to the military exercises it has been conducting right under China’s nose.Whenever issues are raised with this, it insists on recognition of freedom of navigation as guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which the US has not actually itself ratified. Its reason for not doing so is that it believes the passage permission system laid out in that convention could restrict its own warships’ and submarines’ freedom to travel all around the globe.In their statement adopted in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, last November, the three leaders declared their resolve to “defend the rules-based international order.” But in the very same statement, they pledged to “work together to strengthen deterrence.”The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which bars all use, possession, production, testing, deployment, and transportation of nuclear weapons, was adopted by the UN in 2017. As of 2023, it has been ratified by 68 countries. It has entered into effect as the letter of international law.But neither South Korea, the US nor Japan have yet to even sign it. Not only that, but they have declared on an international stage that they intend to cooperate to strengthen deterrence that centers on the use or threatened use of nuclear weapons. Can we call it “cooperation” when they are joining forces underneath the nuclear umbrella in the same global order where the TPNW operates?In Phnom Penh, the scope of cooperation was confined to “shar[ing] DPRK missile warning data in real time.” But there are already signs suggesting that the discussions at Camp David will expand trilateral cooperation to the level of a quasi-military alliance.We also see evidence that the US is moving to integrate the extended deterrence it individually provides to South Korea and Japan into a trilateral deterrence framework.In early August, the Financial Times reported that the US hoped the summit would lead to South Korea and Japan “agree[ing] that each nation has a duty to consult the others in the event of an attack” against them.Not only that, but there has also been speculation that the discussions will extend to cooperation measures related to trilateral military exercises, cyber security, missile defense, and economic security. When Biden shared a message in a speech last month welcoming South Korea and Japan’s cooperation and observing how they had “reconciled from World War II,” this was effectively a stepping stone toward a larger form of cooperation.Saying no to cooperation aimed at conflictWhat would that cooperation be intended for? Some implications in that regard can be found in a report published by the US Center for Strategic and International Studies last January.Titled “The First Battle of the Next War,” that report used a war game to predict what kind of battle would occur if China invaded Taiwan. Its conclusion was that China would suffer great losses and ultimately fail to occupy Taiwan, but that the US would also suffer enormous losses.The basic war game presumed the US forces would be able to use military bases in Japan and that the Japan Self-Defense Forces would be joining the battle. While the scenario had two South Korea-based US Air Force squadrons taking part in the fighting in Taiwan, South Korea itself was not participating in combat.The war game’s outcome was a situation of high losses suffered by the US and Japan. So what do the US and Japan hope to achieve through “cooperation” with South Korea?The South Korea-US Mutual Defense Treaty is limited in scope to the scenario of “an armed attack in the Pacific area on either of the Parties.”No legal basis exists for the Republic of Korea to be mobilized for combat in Taiwan, but summit statements have included an emphasis on cooperation for “regional security.” This is meant to leave open the possibility for Japan to intervene militarily on the Korean Peninsula, while also opening the door for “cooperation” where South Korea becomes involved in activities in the Indo-Pacific.But there is another form of cooperation, one that the three leaders urgently need to pursue if they don’t want to follow Robber Zhi’s example.With South and North Korea, the US, Japan and China all pursuing preemptive strike capabilities now, Northeast Asia is left in a precarious situation where one unfortunate incident could lead to war breaking out.The taut tensions have also resulted in various incidents occurring. We saw one such dicey situation last month.A B-52 strategic bomber from the US Air Force made an unexpected landing at Yokota Air Base, in Japan, at 10:22 am on July 12, apparently because of an equipment error that occurred during flight. That landing occurred only minutes after North Korea’s test launch of an ICBM. It’s unclear why this bomber (which is attached to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota) was flying at that precise place at that precise time or whether North Korea was aware of the B-52’s presence when it launched the missile.Shouldn’t Korea, the US and Japan be cooperating not to present a threat or prepare to fight, but to reduce tensions and create an environment in which fighting is unnecessary?By Suh Jae-jung, professor of political science and international relations at the International Christian University in TokyoPlease direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]

24. [Editorial] Yoon’s risky gamble of racing toward military cooperation with US, Japan

[Editorial] Yoon’s risky gamble of racing toward military cooperation with US, Japan

Posted on : Aug.17,2023 13:58 KST Modified on : Aug.17,2023 13:58 KST

https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_editorial/1104649.html

Things that would have been unimaginable in the past are being mentioned by the Yoon administration as if they were nothing unusual

US President Joe Biden greets South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on May 21 ahead of their trilateral summit on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, Japan. (AP/Yonhap)

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was scheduled to depart Thursday to attend a trilateral summit with the US and Japan at Camp David.The summit on Friday is expected to be a major turning point in the three sides’ closeness on military and economic security issues. But for many, the mood is one of concern rather than hopefulness.After the summit, the three leaders are expected to announce the so-called “Camp David principles,” representing an unprecedented upgrade in trilateral cooperation that includes regular trilateral summits, national security advisor meetings, and annual joint military exercises.The annual joint military exercises are expected to also include radar, satellite, and missile interception drills by the three sides. The aim is to institutionalize trilateral military cooperation to such an extent that security cooperation can continue even if different administrations come to office or changes arise in South Korea-Japan relations.This shares connections with the efforts by US President Joe Biden to play up the stronger containment of China through trilateral coordination as an achievement in the areas of foreign policy and national security. While Yoon has been stressing the importance of trilateral cooperation as a response to North Korea, there is also a growing risk that South Korea will find itself on the front lines of US efforts to hem China in.Another key issue is the transformation of South Korea-Japan relations into a “quasi-alliance.”In his National Liberation Day address on Tuesday, Yoon referred to South Korea and Japan as “partners that cooperate on security and the economy.”“The seven rear bases provided to the United Nations Command (UNC) by the government of Japan serve as the greatest deterrent which keeps the North from invading the South,” he added, placing unusual emphasis on Japan’s role in a potential emergency on the Korean Peninsula.In an interview with Bloomberg published on Wednesday, Yoon mentioned the possibility of Japan eventually participating in the South Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group.“Regarding extended deterrence, we are also open to separate consultations among the Republic of Korea, the United States and Japan,” he said.Things that would have been unimaginable in the past are being mentioned by the Yoon administration as if they were nothing unusual. A major driving force in these discussions of military cooperation between South Korea and Japan can be found in the concessions that Yoon has freely made to Tokyo.While Yoon was emphasizing Japan’s role in providing rear bases to the UNC on National Liberation Day, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spent the same day leaving an offering at Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined.Yoon is taking a risky gamble in pushing for a quasi-alliance with Japan, all while disregarding history and making no attempt to win the public’s support. As a society, South Koreans will find this difficult to accept.There is also the serious risk of this actually destabilizing South Korea-Japan relations in the long term. Even if Seoul steps up its cooperation with Washington and Tokyo to respond to the North Korean nuclear crisis, we cannot cope with too much tension and confrontation with Beijing.Hopefully, Yoon will give this reality a great deal of thought as he makes his way to Camp David.Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]

25. Staring down the barrel of an East Asian NATO: Korea, US, Japan to “engage” in event of security crisis

Staring down the barrel of an East Asian NATO: Korea, US, Japan to “engage” in event of security crisis

Posted on : Aug.18,2023 16:44 KST Modified on : Aug.18,2023 16:44 KST

https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/1104851.html

Some of the pledges that appear slated to be announced at the trilateral summit bear a striking resemblance to those in the NATO charter

US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol head into a trilateral summit in Hiroshima on May 21 on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in the Japanese city. (Yonhap)

Briefings by senior South Korean and US officials on Wednesday and Thursday provided a clear outline of the agreements that will be reached at the US-South Korea-Japan trilateral summit on Friday, held at Camp David.The summit is expected to mark what US President Joe Biden has described as a “fundamental change” to the security order of East Asia that has been in place for over seven decades since the end of World War II.The agreements could pave the way for the creation of a collective security body, such as an East Asian version of NATO.The three countries will use the summit to declare their intention to strengthen cooperation in a wide range of areas, including not only the military, but also economic security, climate change, humanitarian assistance, and advanced technology.One of the documents to be adopted there, the “Camp David Principles,” will also attempt to “institutionalize” cooperation so that the commitments made at the meeting cannot be reversed down the line.Among other agreements, the most prominent will regard strengthening security cooperation.The three countries will regularize meetings between key officials dealing with national security, including the heads of state, foreign ministers, defense ministers, and national security advisors, and establish a hotline between them.Through this multi-layered communication framework and hotline, the three countries aim to “communicate and engage” with each other during crisis situations. Joint exercises involving the three countries will take place on an annual basis.The UK’s Financial Times called the decisions being made at the Camp David summit a “landmark trilateral agreement.”The South Korean presidential office has emphasized that the agreement between the three countries will not create an alliance between South Korea and Japan.“An alliance is a relationship in which the other side steps in when one country is attacked, and South Korea and Japan do not have that sort of relationship,” a senior presidential office official said.However, the agreement will allow the three countries to “systematically share necessary information on specific targets and cooperate when the three countries agree on issues that directly affect their security interests,” the official said, adding that “we could call it a trilateral security cooperation system.”The most controversial part of the statement the three countries are expected to release on Friday is that each country will “make commitments to dialogue and engage in critical circumstances.”This is reminiscent of Article 4 of the NATO Charter, which states that countries “will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened.”NATO immediately follows this with a collective security clause (Article 5) that states that an attack on any one country will be treated as an attack on the whole and responded to jointly.In this sense, the agreement can be interpreted as the first concrete move toward the future creation of an East Asian version of NATO.Unlike Europe, East Asia was unable to institutionalize a NATO-like collective security system due to historical conflicts between the two countries meant to be the “pillars” of cooperation — South Korea and Japan — and the constraints placed on Japan by its pacifist postwar constitution.South Korea attempted to create a NATO-like collective security organization, the Asia Pacific Treaty Organization (APATO), in January 1968 after experiencing major security crises such as the assault on the presidential palace by Kim Shin-jo and North Korea’s capture of the USS Pueblo, but was unsuccessful.The US, facing a domestic anti-war movement over the Vietnam War, and Japan, constrained by Article 9 of its constitution, did not cooperate. With US President Richard Nixon’s visit to China in February 1972, the United States embarked on a policy of engagement with China, and the idea of an Asian version of NATO naturally fizzled out.This began to change in the mid-2010s, when the rise of China became more prominent.Little by little, the US dismantled the two constraints that had prevented the creation of an Asian version of NATO: the historical conflict between Korea and Japan and Japan’s pacifist constitution.The US has applied diplomatic pressure on South Korea to reconcile with Japan and has supported Japan’s rearmament. The US enthusiastically welcomed Japan’s declaration last December that it would acquire “enemy base counterstrike capabilities,” meaning the ability to launch preventive preemptive strikes against North Korea and China.The same was true when President Yoon Suk-yeol made a unilateral concession this March on a ruling on compensation for victims of forced mobilization, the last obstacle to South Korea-Japan cooperation.By Gil Yun-hyung, staff reporterPlease direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]

De Oppresso Liber,

David Maxwell

Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy

Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation

Editor, Small Wars Journal

Twitter: @davidmaxwell161

Phone: 202-573-8647

email: david.maxwell161@gmail.com