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.
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Iran set ablaze two tankers in Iraqi waters as it stepped up attacks on oil and transport facilities across the Middle East, warning the world should be ready for oil at $200 a barrel in defiance of President Donald Trump's claim that the U.S. had already won the war.
Member countries of the International Energy Agency have unanimously agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to stabilise global markets disrupted by the war involving Iran.
Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is reportedly in good health and staying in a “safe place”, despite earlier reports that he had been injured during recent U.S.-Israel airstrikes, according to the country's president.
The escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran is already hitting the Middle East travel and tourism sector hard, with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimating losses of at least $600 million per day in international visitor spending.
The 32 countries belonging to the Internatioanl Energy Agency agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil on Wednesday (11 March), in efforts aimed at bringing down the price of crude oil, which has soared since fighting between Iran, Israel and the U.S. started at the end of February.
A towering lava fountain from Kilauea shot about 400 metres into the air late on Tuesday (11 March) on Hawaii Island, prompting temporary closures at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and part of a key highway as volcanic ash and debris fell over nearby areas.
Norwegian police apprehended three brothers suspected of carrying out Sunday's (8 March) bombing at the U.S. embassy in Oslo, in an attack investigators have branded an act of terrorism.
Azerbaijan is evacuating nearly 200 people from the Middle East on a special charter flight departing from Oman.
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.
Norwegian police apprehended three brothers suspected of carrying out Sunday's (8 March) bombing at the U.S. embassy in Oslo, in an attack investigators have branded an act of terrorism.
Oil prices continue to fluctuate as a result of the conflict in the Middle East with Iran and the insecurity of ships sailing through the key Strait of Hormuz route. Iran has said it will target any ship linked to the U.S., Israel or their allies.
Britain has deployed the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon to the eastern Mediterranean to strengthen protection for its military assets in the Middle East after a drone strike targeted a key UK air base in Cyprus earlier this month.
Member countries of the International Energy Agency have unanimously agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to stabilise global markets disrupted by the war involving Iran.
The annual pro-Palestinian al-Quds Day march in London, scheduled to take place on Sunday, has been banned by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood following warnings from the Metropolitan Police about the risk of “serious public disorder.”
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