New york: The top diplomats of South Korea, the United States, and Japan are set to engage in trilateral talks on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York this week, as announced by Seoul's foreign ministry. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will meet on Monday afternoon, with the focus on reinforcing their three-way partnership and coordinating on key issues, including North Korea's nuclear situation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the discussions are taking place as a part of the U.N. General Assembly High-Level Week, where the diplomats are accompanying their respective leaders, President Lee Jae-myung, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The talks aim to address shared commitments and efforts for closer cooperation, particularly concerning North Korea. This meeting follows a recent indication from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who expressed a willingness to engage in talks with the Trump administration if the U.S. relaxes its demand for denuclearization.
Kim Jong-un has reiterated his stance of not engaging in talks with South Korea and has dismissed any plans for unification despite repeated attempts by the Lee government. In a recent interview with TIME magazine, President Lee reaffirmed his approach towards North Korea's nuclear issue, proposing an arms freeze, reduction, and eventual denuclearization in exchange for easing or lifting sanctions, a strategy he claims aligns with President Trump's views.
Besides the North Korean issue, the talks are expected to cover joint efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in response to China's growing assertiveness. Discussions may also explore practical cooperation in emerging technologies, focusing on critical minerals, supply chain stability, and artificial intelligence.
The previous trilateral meeting between these nations' top diplomats occurred in Malaysia, on the sidelines of Association of Southeast Asian Nations-related meetings. At that time, South Korea was represented by a vice foreign minister due to Cho Hyun's pending parliamentary appointment.