The United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi, and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met in Brussels on April 3 to strengthen trilateral cooperation in advancing the safety, security, and prosperity of their three countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region. The meeting reaffirmed shared principles including the rule of law.
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers emphasized the importance of NATO's cooperation with Indo-Pacific Partners to ensure a swift response to security developments and challenges in both regions. They also expressed condolences for the loss of lives and damage caused by wildfires in the ROK and Japan.
Regarding regional stability, the United States reiterated its ironclad commitment to defending Japan and the ROK, backed by America's unmatched military strength. The three countries agreed that U.S. extended deterrence commitments to Japan and the ROK remain critical to maintaining security and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers opposed unlawful maritime claims or unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion in the waters of the Indo-Pacific, including the South China Sea. They reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, ensuring international law prevails.
Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait was also emphasized as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community. The three countries expressed concern about provocative actions around Taiwan and called for an end to further destabilizing actions, while encouraging peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers welcomed continued talks between the United States, Russia, and Ukraine on a comprehensive ceasefire, which is essential for a lasting peace in line with the Charter of the United Nations.
Addressing the North Korean threat, they reaffirmed their commitment to complete denuclearization in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. They expressed concerns over DPRK's increasing military cooperation with Russia and emphasized the need to address nuclear and missile programs and maintain sanctions against the DPRK.
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers condemned malicious cyber activities by DPRK cyber actors, including a $1.5 billion cryptocurrency theft. They called on the international community to prevent the DPRK from converting stolen funds into hard cash.
To enhance economic security and resilience, they committed to strengthening energy cooperation and diversifying critical mineral supply chains. Building on discussions in Munich, they also pledged to develop advanced civil nuclear reactors to meet growing energy needs under high safety standards.
The three countries recognized the need for concerted efforts to ensure maritime security through a modern fleet, robust shipbuilding industry, and strong workforce. They welcomed trilateral coast guard cooperation to address maritime domain challenges and provide joint capacity-building assistance.
Finally, they reaffirmed their commitment to free and fair global economic orders, standing against economic coercion and unfair trade practices. They also expressed support for the ROK's efforts to host APEC 2025 and achieve meaningful outcomes.
The Secretary and Foreign Ministers committed to continue trilateral meetings at all levels, including Vice-Ministerial level, and look forward to the second Trilateral Global Leadership Youth Summit in Japan this summer.