Lima: The leaders of South Korea, the United States, and Japan have announced the creation of a secretariat to strengthen trilateral cooperation and collectively condemned North Korea and Russia's decision to intensify Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine. This announcement was made during a trilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru. According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba issued a joint statement affirming their commitment to this trilateral partnership. This cooperation is deemed essential for addressing regional security threats and enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The newly established Trilateral Secretariat is tasked with coordinating and implementing shared commitments among the three nations, aiming to create a more connected and secure Indo-Pacific. The leaders emphasized that this partnership is designed to endure over tim e. The meeting also served as a platform for the leaders to denounce North Korea's involvement in supporting Russia's war efforts in Ukraine. South Korea and the United States have confirmed that North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia's western front-line Kursk region to engage in combat operations against Ukrainian forces. The three countries strongly criticized the military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, particularly highlighting the transfer of munitions and ballistic missiles. They reiterated their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. President Yoon emphasized the importance of continued cooperation among the three countries, stating that the security environment demands such collaboration. He highlighted the active high-level consultations among Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo and underscored the significance of the trilateral secretariat in strengthening their partnership. The leaders also reflected on the progress made since the historic Camp Da vid Summit in August 2023. President Biden acknowledged the new era of cooperation initiated by the summit and expressed hope for the enduring nature of the trilateral relationship. Prime Minister Ishiba reiterated the critical role of trilateral security cooperation in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. He welcomed the establishment of the secretariat as a means to further strengthen their partnership and address challenges posed by North Korea. In the context of growing military threats from North Korea and China's assertiveness, Washington has encouraged Seoul and Tokyo to strengthen their bilateral relations. While uncertainties remain regarding future multilateral cooperation, President Yoon expressed hope for continued bipartisan support in the U.S. for the trilateral framework to address shared security challenges.