US, Japan and South Korea Reaffirm Trilateral Cooperation on Security, North Korea and Economic Resilience
By Suman Munshi, IBG NEWS
New York | September 21, 2026
The United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea have reaffirmed their commitment to closer trilateral cooperation on regional security, North Korea, economic resilience, emerging technologies and maritime affairs during a ministerial meeting held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Hyun participated in the meeting. In their joint statement, the three countries reiterated their earlier commitments and said trilateral cooperation would continue to focus on peace, stability and economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific while upholding principles including the rule of law. (Forth News)
Focus on North Korea and Denuclearisation
The three foreign-policy chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearisation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and to preventing revenue generation that could support North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic-missile programmes, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
At the same time, they stated that the possibility of dialogue with Pyongyang remains open and called for the resumption of dialogue aimed at promoting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
The ministers also welcomed the work of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) in tracking alleged violations and evasion of UN sanctions involving North Korea.
They further discussed measures to address North Korean cyber-related activities, including cooperation through a trilateral working group.
The three countries also reiterated their call for resolution of issues concerning abductees, detainees, unrepatriated prisoners of war and separated families. (Forth News)
Supply Chains and Economic Security
Economic security was another major component of the meeting.
The United States, Japan and South Korea expressed opposition to economic coercion and non-market policies that they said can contribute to excess production, market distortions and disruptions to global supply chains.
The countries agreed to strengthen their trilateral Supply Chain Early Warning System and welcomed the establishment of a new consultation mechanism focused on economic security.
Energy security also featured prominently, with the three governments highlighting the importance of strengthening regional energy resilience, including through larger oil stockpiles and greater cooperation between energy-producing and consuming nations.
They also committed to implementing a July 7 trilateral agreement aimed at facilitating the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) in other countries, subject to nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation standards. (Forth News)
Cooperation on AI, Semiconductors and Emerging Technologies
The three countries also agreed to deepen cooperation in advanced technologies.
The joint statement highlighted artificial intelligence, quantum technology, digital infrastructure and biotechnology as areas requiring greater collaboration and protection.
Washington, Tokyo and Seoul also welcomed increased cooperation in the semiconductor sector and expressed interest in expanding collaboration among their national laboratories.
The ministers further noted the third annual Young Trilateral Leaders’ Summit, held in Honolulu in August, which focused on security and innovation in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. (Forth News)
Security Commitments and the Indo-Pacific
The United States reiterated its defence commitments to Japan and South Korea, including its extended-deterrence commitments.
The three ministers said they would continue robust security cooperation and stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
They called for peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues and opposed unilateral attempts to alter the existing status quo. The statement also expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in appropriate international organisations.
The three governments reaffirmed support for freedom of navigation and overflight, lawful commerce and other lawful uses of the seas in accordance with international law, including the principles reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). (Forth News)
Joint Action Against Organised Crime
The countries also announced cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) aimed at combating organised criminal networks.
Particular attention was given to scam centres in Southeast Asia, which the three governments described as a concern for regional and international peace and security.
The ministers also welcomed the beginning of trilateral consultations on international disaster relief.
Maritime and Arctic Cooperation
Washington, Tokyo and Seoul agreed to continue cooperation under their Trilateral Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Cooperation Framework.
The framework is intended to address challenges in the maritime domain and provide capacity-building assistance to regional partners.
The three countries also reaffirmed their intention to maintain close intergovernmental communication on issues concerning the Arctic. (Forth News)
Continued Trilateral Engagement
Concluding the meeting, the three foreign ministers committed to maintaining and expanding cooperation at both regional and global levels.
They also agreed to continue trilateral meetings at different levels, reflecting their intention to institutionalise cooperation across security, economic, technological, maritime and other areas.
The latest statement represents an updated expression of cooperation among the United States, Japan and South Korea during the 2026 UN General Assembly High-Level Week. (Forth News)
By Suman Munshi
IBG NEWS
