SEOUL: Senior diplomats from South Korea, the United States, and Japan will convene in Seoul this week for crucial trilateral talks aimed at enhancing their strategic partnership, according to Seoul’s foreign ministry. The discussions will focus on regional and global issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and explore avenues for future cooperation among the three nations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun of South Korea will host U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano. The main trilateral dialogue is scheduled for Wednesday, with Kim also set to hold separate bilateral meetings; one with Campbell on Wednesday and another with Okano on Thursday.
This series of meetings marks a significant step since the last gathering in Virginia five months ago, reflecting ongoing efforts to solidify the tripartite alliance. The discussions are particularly timely given the recent political developments, incl
uding the election of new Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and the forthcoming U.S. presidential election.
The leaders of the three countries had previously declared a new phase in their partnership during the trilateral Camp David summit last August, which culminated in multiple agreements, including a “Commitment to Consult” pact aimed at coordinating responses to shared threats. Furthermore, the establishment of a coordinating body during their last meeting in May aims to institutionalize this trilateral cooperation, underscoring the strategic importance of these engagements.