U.S., Japan, and South Korea to enhance cooperation amid increasing threat from North Korea
Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor to the President of the United States (photo: Getty Images)
The United States, South Korea, and Japan have launched new trilateral initiatives to counter threats emanating from North Korea, according to Reuters.
National security advisers from the three countries met in Seoul at a time when North Korea announced its intention to launch more spy satellites into orbit.
The countries agreed on new initiatives to address threats from North Korea in cyberspace.
"We've also launched new trilateral initiatives to counter the threats posed by the DPRK, from its cybercrime and cryptocurrency money laundering to its reckless space and ballistic missile tests" said Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor.
His Japanese counterpart, Takeo Akiba, stated that the illicit cyber activities of North Korea have become the latest challenge. He mentioned that it serves as a source of funds for Pyongyang's development of nuclear missiles.
Sullivan stated that the countries continue to advocate for peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the East and South China Seas.
Cooperation between the United States, South Korea, and Japan
In the course of this year, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have elevated their cooperation to a new level amid threats from North Korea and China. In August, a summit was held among the three countries in Washington, where they agreed to strengthen security cooperation.
Additionally, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, along with his South Korean and Japanese counterparts, expressed concerns about military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including arms trade.
Furthermore, the parties have initiated trilateral exercises, such as those conducted in April and at the end of October, when the countries held their first-ever joint air drills.
