U.S., Japan, South Korea foreign chiefs meet over North Korea, wars

The foreign chiefs of the United States, Japan and South Korea met Tuesday to coordinate their efforts in tackling a nuclear-armed North Korea, Russia’s war on Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The tripartite talks involve U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin, who are all in San Francisco for a meeting of 21 Asia-Pacific economies.

Photo shows (from L) South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa as they pose for a photo ahead of a meeting in San Francisco on Nov. 14, 2023. (Photo courtesy of the Japanese Foreign Ministry)(Kyodo)

“Strategic trilateral coordination is increasingly needed. We’ll work together to maintain and strengthen the free and open international order based on the rule of law,” Kamikawa said at the meeting.

During their talks, the foreign chiefs are expected to discuss the envisaged launch of a system among the allies to swiftly exchange information on North Korean missiles.

The three nations have shared concerns about North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile development and China’s assertive behavior in a region where they want to maintain a rules-based order.

The deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza is on their agenda amid the ongoing war triggered by an October attack on Israel by Hamas militants, with the civilian death toll climbing and hospitals targeted. Israel has stepped up its attacks on the Gaza Strip.

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