San Francisco played host to a trilateral meeting between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The leaders, who had previously met in August at Camp David, posed for a photograph together but did not make formal remarks, according to news agency Yonhap.
Earlier on Friday, President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida held a separate meeting where they committed to fostering deeper cooperation. Yoon stated, “This year, bilateral cooperation is deepening with the reactivation of exchanges at each level, including at the summit level, and the restoration of consultation bodies between our governments,” as reported in a media pool report. Prime Minister Kishida expressed his desire to advance cooperation in politics, security guarantees, the economy, and culture.
The discussions extended to addressing North Korea’s ongoing nuclear and missile tests, with both leaders committing to collaborate closely with the United States on responding to the North, as stated by Japan’s foreign ministry.
President Yoon has prioritized efforts to mend ties with Japan since taking office in May 2022, aiming to restore trilateral security cooperation with the United States amid heightened threats from North Korea. Despite facing domestic skepticism about Japan’s historical actions, Yoon seeks to navigate regional challenges, emphasizing the need for cooperation.
The leaders are expected to announce a joint supply network for carbon-neutral fuels, including hydrogen and ammonia, in line with their commitment to technological cooperation. This initiative reflects a strategic response to global climate goals and signals a united front in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.
The trilateral meeting in San Francisco underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing regional security concerns, economic challenges, and advancing technological innovation. As tensions persist on the Korean Peninsula and geopolitical dynamics evolve, the leaders’ commitment to deeper cooperation signals a collective approach to navigate complex issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
