Countries & Regions
Japan-U.S.-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
On July 11, commencing at 10:10 a.m. (local time, on July 11, 11:10 a.m. Japan time), for approximately 40 minutes, H.E. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, visiting Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) for the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, held a Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with the Honorable Marco Rubio, Secretary of State of the United States of America, and H.E, Park Yoonjoo, 1st Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the ROK. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
They reaffirmed that, in light of the increasingly severe strategic environment that the three countries face, the robust Japan-U.S. and U.S.-ROK alliances as well as the coordination among Japan, the U.S. and the ROK remain important. They also welcomed the advancement of concrete trilateral cooperation, and concurred that they would continue to strengthen the solidarity of the three countries and pursue the stability and prosperity of the region.
They discussed recent developments on North Korea and, in particular, expressed their serious concerns over North Korea’s nuclear and missile development, and reaffirmed their commitment toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. They also reaffirmed that they would work closely together against issues such as the advancement of Russia-North Korea military cooperation and North Korea’s malicious cyber activities including cryptocurrency thefts, which fund its nuclear and missile programs. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Iwaya expressed his appreciation for the consistent support from the governments of the U.S. and the ROK regarding the abductions issue, as shown by the Secretary Rubio and Vice Minister Park.
In addition, they exchanged their views on regional situations, including unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, and affirmed that the three countries would work closely together. They also concurred to advance concrete cooperation in areas such as economic security.