Interior Alaska News

U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan, Chris Van Hollen, Jeanne Shaheen, Jeff Merkley, Bill Hagerty, John Cornyn, Todd Young, and Tammy Duckworth have introduced a resolution emphasizing the significance of trilateral cooperation between the United States, Japan, and South Korea.

The resolution acknowledges efforts by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to mend relations between their countries. It states: “The Senate commends the extraordinary leadership of President of South Korea Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio in taking initiative to repair relations between their two countries; … encourages even greater cooperation between South Korea and Japan and trilateral cooperation across diplomatic, economic, security, and informational domains; … [and] recognizes the critical importance to the interests of the United States and the peace and security of the Western Pacific of United States treaty alliances with South Korea and Japan.”

In 2023, South Korea and Japan resumed bilateral summitry after a hiatus since 2019. Efforts were made to address historical grievances such as forced labor issues from World War II. The two nations restored normal economic ties by lifting trade restrictions imposed in 2019.

The U.S., Japan, and South Korea have also restarted trilateral meetings since June 2022. Notably on August 18, 2023, they held a standalone leaders' summit at Camp David where they committed to coordinate responses to regional challenges.

Military cooperation has been strengthened with resumed exercises in 2022 aimed at countering North Korean threats. A multi-year schedule for military exercises was established along with an aerial exercise conducted in October 2023.

Additionally, a real-time missile warning data exchange agreement was activated focusing on North Korean launches. In December 2022, national security documents published by South Korea and Japan aligned closely with those of the U.S., paving way for further policy alignment.

Plans for regular summits were announced including annual meetings among leaders and cabinet officials from all three countries. A new science and technology cooperative arrangement between Japan and South Korea was also unveiled.

Efforts extended beyond defense as seen when both nations cooperated in evacuating nationals during crises in Sudan (April 2023) and Israel (October 2023). Furthermore experts monitored water release at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

In December 2023 an inaugural meeting took place under a trilateral Working Group on DPRK Cyber Activities followed by dialogues on space security (November 2023)and Indo-Pacific policies(January 2024).

Finally several initiatives were launched involving economic & technological cooperation including supply chain early warning systems among others reaffirming commitment towards enhanced collaboration across various sectors.