Seoul: Former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has urged South Korea and Japan to collaborate at the U.N. level to address the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as the ongoing conflict with Iran exacerbates global supply disruptions. Ishiba emphasized the importance of reopening the vital waterway, which is crucial for about 20 percent of global energy supplies, during a forum in Seoul.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Ishiba made his remarks at the Asan Plenum hosted by the Asan Institute of Policy Studies, highlighting that Iran's blockade poses a significant threat to global stability. He advocated for resolving the conflict in Iran swiftly and suggested that Japan and South Korea, along with other like-minded nations, should spearhead discussions at the U.N. to treat this issue as a security matter based on U.N. resolutions.

Ishiba further proposed that South Korea and Japan consider signing an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement (ACSA) to enhance their bilateral relations. The ACSA would facilitate the sharing of logistics supplies and services during military operations, which Ishiba believes is essential for both regional and global peace.

The proposal for an ACSA with Japan has seen limited support in South Korea due to concerns about potential implications for the Korean Peninsula. However, Ishiba stressed the importance of close coordination between South Korea and Japan, especially in the context of deterring North Korean threats.

Ishiba called for enhanced trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan to counter Pyongyang's nuclear and missile capabilities. He emphasized the need for strengthened bilateral relations between South Korea and both Japan and the United States to maximize deterrence effectiveness.

Reiterating his advocacy for a collective defense framework in Asia, akin to NATO, Ishiba suggested that it could evolve into a NATO-style structure over time. He proposed considering scenarios that would include South Korea and the Philippines in this security cooperation framework.