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The leaders of Japan and South Korea have arrived at Camp David for a summit with President Joe Biden, set to usher in a “new era” in security cooperation among the three countries, according to US officials.
Speaking at the presidential retreat, Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, emphasized that a trilateral agreement, scheduled to be signed later, would have long-lasting effects. This marks a significant change in the strained relations between the two American allies in the region.
While the US maintains bilateral defense treaties with Tokyo and Seoul, efforts to encourage closer cooperation on regional security have faced obstacles. The summit, the first visit by a foreign leader to Camp David since 2015, is seen as a pivotal moment in the relationship between the three nations.
The Biden administration has spent over a year persuading Japan and South Korea to move past historical tensions regarding Japan’s wartime actions and collaborate more closely in areas such as military exercises, cyber security, and intelligence sharing.
The decision to attend the summit and commit to an agreement despite historical rivalries presents political challenges for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. However, they are commended for their boldness in taking this step, which previous leaders were hesitant to approach.
The summit was initiated in response to mounting regional concerns about China’s rapid military advancements. Sullivan clarified that the new arrangement is not targeted at any specific adversary, but aims to enhance security in the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Nonetheless, other US officials have made it clear that the move is meant to strengthen deterrence against China and North Korea. US Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, stated that these measures will have a transformative effect on the regional strategic landscape.
Patricia Kim, an expert on Asia at the Brookings Institution, highlighted the “remarkable progress” in bilateral and trilateral cooperation, attributing it to the growing threat posed by Beijing and Pyongyang. Kim also acknowledged the “extraordinary political determination” in all three capitals, particularly in Seoul.
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