U.S. reaffirmed its "ironclad" commitment to defending Japan and South Korea

The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met on Thursday in Brussels to discuss a trilateral cooperation at strengthening the security of their countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

The United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) made a Joint Statement following the meeting.

Strengthening Regional and Global Engagement

The United States reaffirmed its "ironclad" commitments to the defence of Japan and ROK, supported by its unmatched military strength, including nuclear capabilities.

All parties agreed that U.S. extended deterrence remains vital to the security of the Korean Peninsula and Indo-Pacific region. Japan and the ROK supported U.S. efforts to engage China and Russia in reducing nuclear risks and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing defence and deterrence through robust security cooperation and strengthened defense capabilities.

The Secretary and Foreign Ministers strongly opposed unlawful maritime claims and any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force or coercion in the Indo-Pacific, especially in the South China Sea. They emphasized their commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific, ensuring international law, including freedoms of navigation and overflight, prevails.

They also stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as essential to international security and prosperity. They expressed concern over provocative actions, such as recent military drills around Taiwan, and called for an end to destabilizing actions. They urged peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues and opposed unilateral changes to the status quo. Additionally, they supported Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.

The Secretary and Foreign Ministers welcomed ongoing talks between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine and encouraged progress toward a comprehensive ceasefire as a crucial step toward a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter.

Addressing the North Korean Threat

The Secretary and Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their strong commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs).

They expressed concern over North Korea’s growing military cooperation with Russia and stressed the need for a united approach to address DPRK’s nuclear and missile programs. They emphasized the importance of maintaining and strengthening sanctions against the DPRK, responding firmly to violations and evasions of UNSCRs.

The Secretary and Foreign Ministers also condemned North Korea’s malicious cyber activities, including the theft of nearly $1.5 billion in cryptocurrency from an exchange in February. They urged the international community to prevent the DPRK from converting the stolen funds into hard cash.

They pledged to continue efforts to address the severe human rights violations in the DPRK and reiterated their commitment to the immediate resolution of issues related to abductees, detainees, unrepatriated prisoners of war, and separated families.

Enhancing Economic Security and Resilience

The Secretary and Foreign Ministers pledged to strengthen energy security and cooperation, supported by America’s LNG and other energy technologies, in a mutually beneficial way.

Building on discussions in Munich, they committed to diversifying critical mineral supply chains, including through the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), and to developing and protecting critical and emerging technologies. They emphasized leveraging industry capacities to advance civil nuclear reactor development under the highest standards of safety, security, and nonproliferation.

They recognized the need for coordinated efforts to ensure maritime security through a modern fleet, strong shipbuilding industry, and skilled workforce. The trilateral coast guard cooperation was welcomed to address maritime challenges and provide capacity-building assistance under the Trilateral Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Cooperation Framework.

Standing against economic coercion and unfair trade practices, they reaffirmed their commitment to a free and fair global economic order and expressed support for the Republic of Korea’s efforts to host APEC 2025 and achieve meaningful outcomes.

Copied