Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan, U.S. President Joe Biden, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit in Lima to discuss strengthening their cooperation.
During their meeting, the leaders reached a consensus to establish a trilateral secretariat, aiming to enhance collaboration among the three nations. This move is part of a broader effort to institutionalize their partnership ahead of the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump, who has been critical of multilateral arrangements.
In their joint statement, the leaders underscored the importance of the secretariat in bolstering regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister Ishiba stressed Japan’s commitment to working closely with both the U.S. and South Korea in a variety of fields through this new institutional framework.
President Biden expressed his support for ongoing trilateral cooperation, stating, “Today’s meeting shows our unwavering dedication to strengthening our partnerships.” President Yoon also highlighted the significance of their collaboration for the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
The three leaders also condemned the expanding military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia. They called out the actions as especially concerning given Russia’s position as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.
Before the trilateral talks, Prime Minister Ishiba held a separate meeting with President Biden, where he thanked the U.S. leader for his efforts to deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance. Both sides agreed to continue their collaborative work to further strengthen this partnership.