Seoul: The top military officer of the United States emphasized the critical need for security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan to counter the military expansion of North Korea and China.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Gen. Dan Caine, chief of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, made these remarks during a trilateral meeting in Seoul with his counterparts from South Korea and Japan, Adm. Kim Myung-soo and Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida. Caine stressed the significance of trilateral cooperation to reestablish deterrence against what he described as an "unprecedented" military build-up by North Korea and China, who appear to be advancing their own strategic agendas.
Caine highlighted the importance of demonstrating resolve and being proactive in partnerships as the cooperation among these nations expands beyond just addressing North Korean threats. He referenced former U.S. JCS chief Gen. Martin Dempsey's 2014 comments on evolving partnerships through regular engagement and shared responsibility.
The South Korean and Japanese military leaders echoed Caine's call for maintaining and developing the momentum of trilateral cooperation, especially in light of North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats and other regional security challenges. They emphasized the importance of institutionalizing this cooperation to strengthen deterrence against North Korea.
Following their discussions, the military leaders issued a joint statement condemning North Korea's unlawful weapons development and reaffirmed their commitment to working towards complete denuclearization. They also addressed Pyongyang's growing military ties with Russia, including the potential transfer of military technology.
The meeting marked the first Trilateral Chiefs of Defense meeting held in Seoul, with Gen. Caine's visit being the first by a U.S. military officer of his rank since CQ Brown's visit in November 2023. The U.S. delegation included U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo Jr. and U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson. The defense chiefs also planned to visit the South Korean Navy's 2nd Fleet command to honor the sailors who perished in the North's 2010 torpedo attack on the Cheonan warship.
The next Trilateral Chiefs of Defense meeting is scheduled to take place in the U.S. next year.