{"id":2205944,"date":"2024-07-29T08:00:32","date_gmt":"2024-07-28T23:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2205944"},"modified":"2024-07-28T22:49:47","modified_gmt":"2024-07-28T13:49:47","slug":"us-rok-japan-institutionalize-defense-cooperation-to-confront-regional-threats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/07\/us-rok-japan-institutionalize-defense-cooperation-to-confront-regional-threats\/","title":{"rendered":"US, ROK, Japan institutionalize defense cooperation to confront regional threats"},"content":{"rendered":"
Defense ministers from the U.S., South Korea and Japan signed a <\/span>Memorandum of Cooperation on the Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework<\/span><\/a> (TSCF) on Sunday in Japan. The TSCF institutionalizes trilateral security cooperation, including policy consultations, information sharing and joint exercises. The defense ministers condemned North Korea\u2019s recent diversification of nuclear delivery systems, tests and launches of multiple ballistic missiles and expressed concern over its <\/span>growing military ties<\/span><\/a> with Russia.<\/span><\/p>\n The leaders reaffirmed their opposition to unilateral attempts to change the status quo in Indo-Pacific waters and stressed the importance of respecting international law. They commended the recent <\/span>Freedom Edge trilateral exercise<\/span><\/a> and agreed to hold the next trilateral ministerial meeting in South Korea. The TSCF aims to address regional challenges and threats, focusing on peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the broader Indo-Pacific region.<\/span><\/p>\n WHY IT MATTERS<\/b><\/p>\n By institutionalizing defense cooperation among the U.S., South Korea and Japan, the TSCF\u00a0 will help the three countries to create a more robust and coordinated response to regional challenges. This formalized structure for policy consultations, information sharing and joint exercises will enhance the countries\u2019 collective capability to address threats on the Korean Peninsula and in the broader Indo-Pacific region.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the TSCF\u2019s opposition to unilateral changes in the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific, likely referencing the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, may strain South Korea\u2019s relations with China. Beijing will view this as an alignment against its interests. Additionally, the institutionalization of this partnership suggests the latest attempt to insulate the partnership from potential domestic political shifts in any of the three countries, aiming to ensure long-term strategic continuity regardless of leadership changes.<\/span><\/p>\n