South Korea, US, Japan Foreign Ministers Discuss Regional Security, Keep China in Check Amid South China Sea Tensions

The foreign ministers of South Korea, the United States, and Japan have met in Manila, Philippines, to discuss regional security issues and maritime security, including attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi held a trilateral meeting today (the 22nd) to exchange views on regional and global issues, economic security, and Korean Peninsula affairs.

In a press release following the meeting, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the three ministers exchanged views on regional dynamics, including attempts to unilaterally change the status quo.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening maritime security and upholding international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight and the lawful use of the seas in the Indo-Pacific region, including Southeast Asia, the ministry explained.

The phrase "attempts to unilaterally alter the status quo" is a diplomatic expression commonly used to refer to moves by China to change the existing order through force or coercion in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

Although China was not explicitly named, the meeting is interpreted as a reaffirmation of the trilateral stance to keep China in check by emphasizing freedom of navigation and adherence to international law, especially as tensions have recently escalated following physical clashes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea.

However, the tone was toned down compared to previous South Korea-US-Japan joint statements.

The joint statement from the 2023 Camp David trilateral summit explicitly addressed dangerous and aggressive behavior supporting unlawful maritime claims by China in the South China Sea, and stated strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo.

It also expressed a firm stance against coercive behavior.

Similarly, the 2024 trilateral summit joint statement strongly opposed unilateral attempts to change the status quo in Indo-Pacific waters and explicitly opposed unlawful maritime claims and coercive behavior in the South China Sea.

In contrast, the materials distributed by South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding this meeting did not contain direct mentions of China or the word "opposition," noting only that they exchanged views on related issues and reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation and compliance with international law.

This is interpreted as an adjustment in the level of diplomatic rhetoric to account for relations with China while maintaining the fundamental direction of keeping Beijing in check.

Meanwhile, a separate bilateral foreign ministers' meeting between South Korea and China on the margins of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was not pursued.

On the economic security front, the trilateral foreign ministers agreed to expand cooperation to diversify supply chains, strengthen economic resilience, and counter economic coercion.

They also agreed to deepen practical cooperation in nuclear energy, critical minerals, and advanced technologies.

Regarding Korean Peninsula issues, they reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of the denuclearization of the peninsula and to maintaining a robust deterrence posture against North Korea.

Furthermore, they agreed to closely coordinate for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy.
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.