The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit was held in Lima, the capital of Peru, on Friday (November 15th). The US President Biden, along with Japanese Prime Minister Shizo Abe and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, participated in a trilateral leaders’ meeting.
Following a historic meeting held at the Davos Camp in Washington last August between US, Japanese, and South Korean leaders Biden, Fumio Kishida, and Yoon Suk-yeol, the three heads of state gathered once again. The meeting took place at a time when the military partnership between North Korea and Russia is growing stronger, while Pyongyang is accelerating its ballistic missile testing, causing concerns for the United States and its allies.
The US State Department announced on Tuesday (November 12th) that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to the eastern part of Russia. Most of them have been transferred to the distant Kursk Oblast in the west, where they have started combat exercises alongside the Russian military.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered a series of ballistic missile tests before the US presidential elections this month, claiming progress in developing capabilities to target the US mainland.
In response to these provocations, the US, Japan, and South Korea launched a three-day military exercise named “Freedom Edge” on November 13th in international waters south of Jeju Island, South Korea. The exercise featured the deployment of the US Navy Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS George Washington, showcasing the tripartite alliance’s advanced air defense capabilities.
White House officials are concerned that North Korea may engage in further provocations before and during the early stages of President-elect Trump’s inauguration.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated, “I don’t think we can count on a quiet period with North Korea. The possibility of a seventh nuclear test still exists, and we remain vigilant. Historically, it’s been a time of provocation around presidential transitions.”
President-elect Trump will also be attending the summit, marking his first appearance at a global conference since winning the election.
Sullivan mentioned that the leaders of the US, Japan, and South Korea will discuss North Korea’s deployment of soldiers to Russia and ensure the three countries take “coordinated action.”
Japan’s new Prime Minister Shizo Abe, who defeated rival Yukio Edano on November 11th to become Japan’s 103rd prime minister, promised to push forward with the strengthening of military capabilities outlined in the updated 2022 National Security Strategy. This strategy calls for Japan to possess the capability to counter long-range cruise missiles, breaking away from its self-defense-only principle.
Abe expressed his commitment to enhancing cooperation between the Japanese and US military forces.
During the leaders’ summit in August 2023, the US, Japan, and South Korea issued a joint statement agreeing to consult, share information, and coordinate messaging in the face of threats or crises. Japan and South Korea have set aside years of historical animosities to strengthen economic and security ties, in response to threats from North Korea and the increasing military assertiveness of China in the Pacific.
Sullivan noted that the Biden administration is working to ensure that trilateral cooperation becomes a “lasting feature of US policy.” He anticipates that this cooperation will continue under the Trump administration and highlighted bipartisan support for this effort, though he acknowledged that it ultimately depends on decisions made by the incoming presidential team.
Yoon Suk-yeol and Shizo Abe have already established contact with Trump and hope to maintain stable relations between their respective countries and the incoming US government amid escalating tensions.