Vice Minister Park Yun-ju Holds Trilateral Talks with U.S. and Japan on Regional Security and Economic Cooperation

First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Yun-ju, who is visiting Malaysia to attend ASEAN-related foreign ministers’ meetings, held a trilateral meeting on July 11 with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi. The foreign ministers of the Republic of Korea, the United States, and Japan discussed the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the broader region, as well as ways to strengthen economic cooperation among the three countries.

At the outset of the meeting, Vice Minister Park offered his condolences for the recent flood damage in Texas. He noted that hosting the first ROK-U.S.-Japan foreign ministers’ meeting since taking office reflects the Korean government’s strong commitment to advancing trilateral cooperation under its pragmatic, national interest-based diplomatic approach. He expressed hope that the three countries would continue to solidify their unity and deliver visible, substantive results.

The ministers reaffirmed their shared goal of achieving the complete denuclearization of North Korea and agreed to maintain strong deterrence through close trilateral coordination. They also committed to further expanding ROK-U.S.-Japan security cooperation. Vice Minister Park outlined South Korea’s ongoing efforts to ease inter-Korean tensions and resume dialogue, and emphasized the importance of continued close coordination with both the United States and Japan.

In addition to security issues, the three ministers exchanged views on the regional political landscape and pledged to work together to uphold peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. They agreed to enhance cooperation in sectors such as energy and shipbuilding and to deepen collaboration in securing stable supply chains—including those involving critical minerals—as well as in key and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Vice Minister Park also highlighted the recent success of trilateral youth exchanges, including the ROK-U.S.-Japan Tech Leader Fellowship Program held in the United States in June 2025, and the 2nd Future Generation Leaders Summit hosted by Japan in July 2025. The three countries shared the view that such initiatives help build momentum for future-oriented cooperation and reaffirmed the importance of continuing to invest in next-generation engagement.

Concluding the meeting, the ministers agreed to maintain close communication at all levels and to work proactively to ensure the delivery of concrete outcomes through sustained trilateral collaboration.

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