The leaders of South Korea, Japan, and the United States have reiterated their commitment to addressing regional concerns through trilateral collaboration. On the anniversary of their summit at Camp David, South Korea’s presidential office issued a joint statement emphasising the enduring values of their alliance.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office made a statement emphasising the continuous commitment to consult on matters impacting collective interests and security. The leaders, including US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, first met on August 18 last year to strengthen military and economic cooperation in response to China’s expanding influence and North Korea’s security threats.
While South Korean media sources predict another meeting this year, details are uncertain, particularly given Kishida’s planned resignation. A senior South Korean official stated that there will be occasions for the three leaders to meet again, but the planning is still in its early stages.
Despite leadership changes, the official emphasised that the spirit of cooperation between the three countries will persist even after Biden and Kishida left office. “The three main actors who established the Camp David framework won’t be in their roles forever,” he told me.
