Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held a trilateral phone call today with Japan Minister of Defense Hamada Yasukazu and Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-Sup. The Secretary affirmed the ironclad U.S. extended deterrence commitment to Japan and the Republic of Korea. The leaders also discussed and strongly condemned North Korea's August 24 attempted space launch using ballistic missile technology as a violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.
The officials highlighted ongoing trilateral efforts by the United States, the ROK, and Japan to fully operationalize early-warning missile data information sharing this year, to build and implement a multi-year exercise plan, and to enhance coordination of activities to address regional security challenges.
The three officials committed to meeting again to continue making progress on defense and security cooperation following President Biden's historic Camp David Summit in August with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and President Yoon Suk-Yeol.
