The White House announced on Friday that US President Joe Biden will be convening a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol at his retreat near Washington on August 18.
‘The leaders will celebrate a new chapter in their trilateral relationship as they reaffirm their strong bonds of friendship and the ironclad alliances between the United States and Japan, and the United States and the Republic of Korea,’ an official statement reads.
Set to occur at the Camp David presidential retreat in rural Maryland, close to Washington, DC, the meeting will ‘discuss expanding trilateral cooperation across the Indo-Pacific and beyond,’ the White House said.
At the summit, they will prioritize addressing the ongoing threat from North Korea and collectively develop a shared trilateral vision aimed at effectively dealing with global and regional security challenges, upholding a rules-based international order, and fostering economic prosperity.
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A key focus for Biden has been fostering collaboration between the close US allies, Japan and South Korea, urging them to transcend years of tension and join forces to address the persistent saber-rattling from nuclear-armed North Korea and concerns about potential confrontations with the superpower, China.
The state of affairs between Pyongyang and Seoul is currently at one of its lowest points, characterized by a stalemate in diplomatic efforts, coupled with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s insistence on advancing weapons development, including tactical nuclear weapons.
In light of the situation, Yoon opted to strengthen South Korea’s bond with its longstanding ally, Washington, and adopt a conciliatory approach towards former colonial power Japan.
During April, Seoul and Washington jointly issued a warning stating that any employment of nuclear weapons by Pyongyang against the allies would be met with a nuclear response, potentially leading to the ‘end’ of its regime.