The defense ministers of the U.S., South Korea and Japan agreed to strengthen and institutionalize trilateral security cooperation on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore on Sunday. They discussed regional security concerns, reviewed progress since the Aug. 2023 Camp David Summit and announced new initiatives such as enhanced missile warning data sharing, a multi-domain exercise called “Freedom Edge,” and plans to develop a trilateral security framework this year.

The three defense ministers — Lloyd Austin, Shin Won-sik and Kihara Minoru — condemned North Korea’s recent missile tests and arms deals with Russia as violations of U.N. resolutions. They expressed support for the rules-based international order, opposed Russia’s war in Ukraine and raised concerns about China’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea. The leaders also recognized that their basic positions on Taiwan remain unchanged, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.