Yomiuri: S. Korea, US, Japan Expected to Sign MOU on Arctic Cooperation

South Korea, the United States, and Japan are reportedly planning to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate on maritime utilization and the expansion of energy supplies in the Arctic region, according to Japanese media reports.

Citing multiple diplomatic sources, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimasa Motegi are expected to hold talks in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly late this month and sign the Arctic economic security cooperation memorandum.

According to the draft memorandum, the three countries shared the recognition that cooperation in the Arctic is essential for economic security.

The three nations plan to pursue consultations aimed at expanding the production and supply of energy resources, such as oil and natural gas, deposited in the Arctic region.

They also plan to agree on establishing a working-level group provisionally named the "Arctic-Pacific Trilateral Partnership" to discuss specific areas of cooperation.

South Korea, the U.S., and Japan also plan to seek solidarity with the Arctic Council, a consultative body consisting of eight member states with territory and sovereign rights in the Arctic region, including Denmark and Norway.

Yomiuri analyzed that as competition with China and Russia intensifies over Arctic shipping routes and resources, the U.S. and its allies South Korea and Japan are moving to strengthen economic security by joining forces in utilizing the Arctic region.

Japan is expected to share its icebreaker technology and marine observation capabilities, accumulated through the operation of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Antarctic research vessel Shirase, with South Korea and the United States.

(Photo courtesy of Korea Polar Research Institute, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.