Defense chiefs from South Korea, Japan, and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to initiate a real-time data-sharing program on North Korean missiles in December, according to South Korea’s defense ministry on Sunday. The meeting between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his South Korean counterpart Shin Won-sik, with Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara participating online, marked the first-ever trilateral gathering of the three ministers.
Kihara emphasized that adjustments are steadily progressing, moving the process to its final stages. The decision aligns with the agreement reached at an Aug. 18 summit between U.S. President Joe Biden, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, committing to sharing real-time North Korea missile warning data by year-end.
The ministers jointly condemned the increasing military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, deeming it a violation of U.N. resolutions. Additionally, they underscored the significance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Simultaneously, General Charles Q. Brown, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, engaged in talks with his South Korean counterpart during his first visit to South Korea since assuming office in October. Discussions focused on the “continuous provocations” by North Korea, including missile launches, reaffirming the United States’ unwavering commitment to the defense of South Korea.
