Minister of National Defense Shin Wonsik (left), Japanese Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara (center) and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on July 28 pose for photos at the Japanese Ministry of Defense in Tokyo after signing the memorandum of cooperation on the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework. (Official Facebook page of Ministry of National Defense in Seoul)
By Park Hye Ri
Minister of National Defense Shin Wonsik has signed an agreement with the U.S. and Japan on institutionalizing trilateral security cooperation.
The Ministry of National Defense in Seoul on July 29 said Minister Shin, Japanese Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the previous day in a trilateral meeting at the Japanese Ministry of Defense in Tokyo signed the memorandum of cooperation (MOC) on the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework (TSCF).
The TSCF is the first memorandum signed by the defense chiefs of the three sides. The ministry said the MOC aims to effectively resolve regional challenges, provocations and threats affecting the common interests and security such as North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.
Under the agreement, the three countries decided to hold regular high-level talks like trilateral meetings of defense ministers and joint chiefs of staff and defense trilateral talks.
The ministry said the TSCF will systemize trilateral security cooperation to contribute to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific and other regions through high-ranking policy consultations, information sharing, trilateral exercises, and defense exchange and cooperation.
The meeting discussed regional security concerns in the region and reaffirmed continued commitment to bolster three-way security cooperation to deter the North’s nuclear and missile threats.
Seoul, Washington and Tokyo expressed grave concern over the growth of military and economic cooperation between Russia and the North following the signing of their Treaty on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, urging Pyeongyang to immediately cease actions that could escalate tension on the peninsula.
This was also the first time for the defense ministers of the three countries to hold official talks not at an international gathering or a third country. They also agreed to have Korea host next year’s meeting.
hrhr@korea.kr
