Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

The three sides discussed the importance of “order based on norms” at the 12th trilateral defense ministers’ talks

The defense ministers of Republic of Korea, the U.S. and Japan vowed to maintain close cooperation for peace and stability both in the region and the world during their trilateral meeting.

On June 2nd, Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo, who was participating the 18th Asia Security Summit (known as the Shangri-La Dialogue), acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan and Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya had the 12th trilateral defense ministers’ talks in the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, on the sidelines of the summit.

The three ministers vowed to maintain close cooperation in diplomatic efforts to achieve complete denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. They also agreed to share their assessment of North Korea’s recent launching of missiles, and continue to keep an eye on related situations. 

“The three ministers have highlighted the importance of the international community’s commitment to thoroughly implementing the U.N. Security Council resolutions, including continuous international cooperation to deter, prevent and eradicate North Korea’s illegal transshipments at sea. At the same time, they have formed a consensus that the international community’s common goal is North Korea’s thorough implementation of its international responsibilities in line with the U.N. Security Council resolution on the complete denuclearization of the North Korea, based on verifiable and irreversible mechanisms,” a ministry spokesperson reported. 

The three ministers reaffirmed the importance of 'order based on norms' and agreed to guarantee free navigation and flight, and to peacefully settle conflicts based on the principles of international laws. They also committed to furthering trilateral security cooperation through information sharing, high-level policy consultations and combined exercises, based on a belief that such security mechanisms play a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

By Su-Yeol, Maeng <guns13@dema.mil.kr >

<Copyright ⓒ The Korea Defense Daily, All rights reserved>