Foreign, South Korea | The United States, Japan, and South Korea pledge allegiance in the Pacific—and it plays hard against China

A new security agreement between the United States, Japan and South Korea obliges countries to consult each other in the event of crises or threats in the Pacific.

This came in a joint statement by the two countries following the Camp David summit outside Washington, DC, on Friday. Among other things, countries must conduct annual joint military exercises.

In the statement, they also made harsh remarks about what they called China’s “dangerous and aggressive” behavior in the South China Sea recently. They noted that the country acted aggressively to assert “illegitimate territorial claims”.

– We strongly oppose any attempt to force changes to the status quo in the Pacific region, said the statement, which was republished by Reuters.

Missile warning

President Joe Biden’s spokesman told the Associated Press before the meeting that the three countries recognize they have common security challenges, and a threat to one is a threat to all.

– We will have a hotline to share information and coordinate a response every time a crisis arises in the region, or when something affects one of us, Biden said in a statement after the meeting.

During the year, countries must have a functioning system in place to notify each other in real time about missile launches from North Korea. In addition, there are annual joint military exercises and political summits.

– Joe Biden said at the start of the summit that the United States, Japan and South Korea are stronger, and the world is safer, when we stand together. He said after the meeting that a new era in cooperation between the three countries has now begun.

– historical event

Biden welcomed South Korean President Yoon Sok Yul and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Camp David on Friday. The three countries will also strengthen their economic relations.

– This is simply a big problem. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement related to the meeting that it is a historic event, and the meeting paves the way for a more peaceful and prosperous Pacific region and a stronger United States.

Kishida says the meeting is a historic opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the three countries at a time when Japan faces increasing security challenges. At the same time, he stressed that the countries agree that the line of dialogue must remain open with North Korea.

criticism from China

The Chinese authorities criticized the meeting and cooperation in order to create more disagreement.

– Attempts by exclusive groups and blocs to initiate confrontation between blocs in the Asia-Pacific region will not be popular. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this would certainly lead to opposition from the countries of the region.

Sullivan replied to China that this was not a matter of anything like NATO for the Pacific. He insists that the partnership of the three countries does not target any enemy.

(© NTB)