Yoon Confirms Enduring Trilateral Partnership: Han-US-Japan Leadership SystemUnchanged
Seoul, August 29, 2024 – South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has assured the public that the trilateral leadership partnership established between South Korea, the United States, and Japanthrough the Camp David summit will remain in place, even with potential leadership changes in the future.
Speaking at a press conference held at the presidential office inSeoul, President Yoon addressed concerns regarding the stability of the newly formed partnership. He emphasized that the agreement forged at Camp David was formalized through official diplomatic documents, ensuring its enduring impact.
The leadership cooperation system established at Camp David willnot change even if the leaders of the three countries change, President Yoon stated. The document we signed will continue to be effective. The Camp David cooperation system is significant for the Indo-Pacific region and the global economy and security, andit is also beneficial for the development of South Korea, the United States, and Japan.
The Camp David summit, held in August 2023, marked a historic turning point in trilateral relations, solidifying cooperation on various fronts, including security, economic development, and technology. The summit resulted in ajoint statement outlining a shared vision for the region and a commitment to regular consultations and joint exercises.
President Yoon’s statement comes amidst speculation regarding the future of the partnership, particularly in light of upcoming elections in both Japan and the United States.
Regarding the potential visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishidato South Korea in the coming months, President Yoon acknowledged that the visit is still under discussion. He emphasized that both countries’ foreign ministries are actively coordinating on the matter and expressed his continued welcome for Prime Minister Kishida’s visit.
The visit of Prime Minister Kishida to South Korea has not been confirmedyet, President Yoon said. Our foreign ministries are coordinating on this matter, and we are always welcoming Prime Minister Kishida’s visit. Even with a new Japanese Prime Minister taking office in the fall, we hope to maintain the momentum for bilateral cooperation and development of our bilateral relations.
President Yoon also addressed concernsabout potential changes in the U.S. approach to North Korea’s nuclear program following the upcoming U.S. presidential election. He reiterated the U.S.’s unwavering stance on North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, emphasizing that the U.S. will not tolerate any actions that violate the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
The United States will never accept North Korea’s refusal to achieve denuclearization and its actions that violate the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, President Yoon said. The integrated deterrence system that South Korea and the United States have built is becoming increasingly solid, and it iseffectively promoting the further upgrade of the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
President Yoon’s statements reaffirm the commitment of the South Korean government to the trilateral partnership with the United States and Japan. The commitment to a stable and enduring partnership, despite potential leadership changes, signals a strong foundation for continued cooperation inthe region and beyond.
The trilateral partnership is expected to play a crucial role in addressing shared challenges, including North Korea’s nuclear program, regional security concerns, and economic development. The establishment of a robust and enduring framework for cooperation is seen as a significant step towards a more stable and prosperous Indo-Pacificregion.
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