LIMA: The leaders of South Korea, the United States, and Japan have officially announced the creation of a secretariat dedicated to enhancing trilateral cooperation, while also collectively condemning North Korea and Russia for their decision to expand Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine. This announcement was made during a trilateral meeting held alongside the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru, involving President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. According to Yonhap News Agency, a joint statement was issued by the leaders, emphasizing the significance of their trilateral partnership in countering regional security threats and promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The establishment of the Trilateral Secretariat is aimed at coordinating and implementing shared objectives to ensure a thriving and secure Indo-Pacific region. The leaders highlighted the enduring nature of their partnership and the need for closely aligned actions. T he meeting also served as a platform to denounce North Korea's deployment of troops to support Russia in Ukraine. Both Seoul and Washington confirmed the active engagement of North Korean troops in combat operations in Russia's Kursk region. The leaders condemned the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, particularly regarding munitions and missile transfers, stressing the egregiousness of these actions given Russia's position as a Permanent Member of the U.N. Security Council. The commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula was reaffirmed. A senior U.S. administration official, speaking to the White House press corps, noted that the leaders focused intensely on the growing threats posed by North Korea, including its missile and nuclear capabilities, and the collaboration with Russia. The official stressed the necessity for close coordination among the three nations to address these concerning developments effectively. President Yoon underscored the importanc e of the trilateral cooperation in facing global crises, highlighting its alignment with the national interests of all three countries. He pointed to the recent deployment of North Korean troops to Russia as evidence of the critical need for a robust trilateral partnership. Yoon also emphasized the establishment of the secretariat as a crucial step in institutionalizing cooperation across various sectors, including security, economy, and advanced technologies. The secretariat will oversee cooperation projects and rotate its presidency among the three nations every two years, with South Korea's foreign ministry taking the initiative to establish it soon. This development follows the historic Camp David Summit in August 2023, where the leaders pledged to enhance cooperation through consultation and aligned responses to common threats. President Biden expressed satisfaction with the progress made since the Camp David summit, highlighting achievements in promoting development in Southeast Asia and countering No rth Korea's destabilizing actions. He expressed hope that the trilateral relationship would continue to thrive beyond his presidency. Prime Minister Ishiba echoed the importance of the trilateral collaboration in addressing regional challenges and welcomed the establishment of the secretariat as a means to strengthen their partnership. As the leaders navigate complex security environments, Washington has encouraged Seoul and Tokyo to overcome historical grievances and deepen bilateral relations to address growing military threats from North Korea, China's assertiveness, and other shared challenges. President Yoon expressed optimism for continued bipartisan support in the U.S. for the trilateral framework to address security challenges in the region.