The United States, Japan, and South Korea are set to launch a series of joint initiatives on technology and defense to address their shared concerns about China. According to senior US administration officials, the three countries’ leaders will gather at Camp David this Friday to discuss mutual understanding about regional responsibilities and establish a three-way hotline for communication during times of crisis. While the summit is not expected to result in a formal security arrangement committing the nations to each other’s defense, it marks an important step towards closer ties and cooperation.
US President Joe Biden invited Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to the historic presidential retreat in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations in the face of growing regional threats posed by China’s rise and North Korea. The meeting is intended to become an annual gathering to formalize their alliances and build closer cooperation.
South Korea and Japan have been working towards mending their strained relations, holding their first joint summit in 12 years earlier this year. The two countries have made progress in easing tensions, including addressing issues related to Japan’s occupation of Korea between 1910 and 1945.
While the United States has separate formal collective defense arrangements with Tokyo and Seoul, it seeks to enhance collaboration between the two in light of mounting concerns about China’s expanding power and intentions. The aim is to strengthen regional security and add to their collective defense capabilities.
The US administration expects the summit to result in a joint statement addressing concerns about China’s attempts to change the status of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory. The statement is likely to include language emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. The exact wording of this and other provisions is still under negotiation.
The US, Japan, and South Korea aim to institutionalize the progress achieved so far and make it harder for future leaders to reverse the positive momentum in their relations. However, there are challenges ahead, as the popularity of South Korean President Yoon and skepticism in Japan regarding the durability of improvements remain.
The anticipated summit statement is expected to acknowledge the interconnected security of the three countries, highlighting that a threat to one is a threat to all. Although this may fall short of the language used in NATO’s Article 5, which considers an attack on one member as an attack on all, it signifies a commitment to enhanced defense cooperation. New defense initiatives are also on the horizon, including deeper joint military exercises and missile defense collaboration.
Overall, the summit between the United States, Japan, and South Korea represents a significant step in strengthening regional alliances to counter China’s growing influence. As concerns about China’s activities continue to mount, these nations are actively working to enhance cooperation on technology and defense, with the aim of establishing a more secure and stable regional environment.
