A Trilateral Summit on North Korea & Its Life Lines to Russia
The US, Japan and South Korea met last week, overtly focusing on the DPRK, but covertly covering China; and that reliance of Russia to North Kor
The trilateral summit held on August 18, 2023, at Camp David marked a turning point in the relations between the US, South Korea, and Japan.
Against the backdrop of Ukraine War and China's behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region, this summit aimed to solidify a new partnership among the allied nations.
Interestingly, the Ukraine War played a pivotal role in bringing South Korea and Japan closer together, as both recognised the need to overcome historical divisions and cooperate.
Indeed, the extraordinary role that North Korea is increasingly having in Russia’s campaign in Ukraine is startling, even bizarre, given this is North Korea, the most closed state supplying the almighty Russian Federation!
I went into all of this with Oliver Jia, PhD candidate and contributor to NK News - tune into it below. Its only 20 mins!
Indeed, for onlookers President Biden's decision to convene this historic stand-alone trilateral summit underscored the gravity of the situation.
So what of the Summit?
During the summit, the leaders issued declarations and agreements, including security, trade, technology, education, and regional cooperation.
While stopping short of creating a formal trilateral security alliance, the countries committed to coordinating their responses to regional issues and threats.
They:
established a hotline between their capitals,
regularised annual meetings among ministers/NSAs,
shared ballistic missile early warning information,
and planned large multidomain trilateral military exercises.
Its primary concern was/is the growing assertiveness of China, alongside the North Korean threat.
They expressed their concerns about actions by China that undermine the rules-based order, particularly in the South China Sea. They also reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
China reacted predictably, characterising the trilateral partnership as a "mini NATO" and vehemently opposing it.
For South Korea, enhancing security cooperation with Japan and supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific are essential in addressing the DPRK and ensuring economic stability.
Japan, conversely, facing a growing threat from China and Russia, issue pushing closer military cooperation with the US and South Korea foremost.
The US saw the summit as a long-sought goal, strengthening its partnership with its two key Asian allies, building on the Quad and AUKUS partnerships, while advancing security cooperation in the region
Biden's administration was pushing to encourage South Korea and Japan to put historical animosities aside. For some, the election of Korean President Yoon is/was a pivotal role in helping facilitate that cooperation.
What to come of it?
The sustainability of this trilateral cooperation remains a question, though, especially with the US election.
Therefore, the Biden administration sought to ‘institutionalise’ trilateral coordination to ensure a lasting commitment between the three, while also distancing itself from having to mediate any potential tensions between the others.
The communique also addressed economic and development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, with institutionalising this coordination aimed at bolstering the the other longstanding bilateral alliances.
They may not have mentioned China, but it was certainly on the agenda - with the real challenge to their cooperation in the domestic environments. This worsening polarisation, could undermine the continuity of aligned foreign policy.
Watch my interview with Oliver, to find out more, especially on North Korea’s role in the Russia-Ukraine War!