US, Japan And Seoul To Establish Three-Way Hotline Amid China, North Korea Challenges

Kurt Campbell, Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, revealed that the U.S., Japan and South Korea are set to establish a three-way hotline post their leaders’ summit this week, Bloomberg reports.

The hotline initiative aims to bolster relations among the three nations, especially in confronting challenges from China and nuclear-armed North Korea. The move follows efforts to mend ties between Seoul and Tokyo, historically strained due to Japan’s colonial rule of Korea (1910-1945).

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will attend the summit at Camp David. Campbell highlighted the summit’s annual recurrence and mentioned preparatory talks at the national security and foreign minister levels.

“We are going to make commitments to dialog and engage in critical circumstances,” Campbell stated.

President Yoon, in a recent interview, expressed openness to trilateral dialogue on nuclear deterrence with Japan and the US. He also emphasized real-time missile warning data sharing concerning North Korea.

China’s Global Times accused the trio of forming a “mini-NATO”, potentially jeopardizing regional security. Campbell acknowledged the progress made by Yoon and Kishida, anticipating future challenges but remaining optimistic.

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