South Korea, US, and Japan Expand Influence in ASEAN... Divergence on Taiwan Strait and China ICBM Issues

South Korea, the United States, and Japan have begun expanding their influence in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, relying on their robust alliance framework. However, subtle differences in stance between South Korea and the United States are evident, particularly with regards to China-related issues such as territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

(From left) Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mark Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, and Toshimitsu Motegi, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, pose for a commemorative photo during the Korea-U.S.-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on the occasion of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, Philippines, on the 22nd (local time). Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On the 22nd (local time), Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi attended the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, Philippines, and held the Korea-U.S.-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting to discuss regional and global affairs, economic security, and issues concerning the Korean Peninsula. This meeting occurred only two weeks after the first Korea-U.S.-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the year, which was held on the sidelines of the NATO Summit on July 7. The three ministers emphasized the significance of sending a unified message regarding their commitment to strengthening trilateral cooperation, and agreed to further bolster their coordination and collaboration going forward.

However, after the trilateral foreign ministers' meeting, press releases issued independently by South Korea and the United States revealed differences in tone regarding China-related issues. Tomi Pigott, Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, stated, "The Korea-U.S.-Japan foreign ministers emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," and "expressed concern over China's recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) toward the Pacific without sufficient prior notification." This content was absent from the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement. Instead, the Ministry explained, "The ministers exchanged views on the regional situation, including attempts to unilaterally change the status quo." The phrase "unilaterally change the status quo" is a diplomatic expression often used to indirectly highlight concerns about China's use of force in the Taiwan Strait. The issue of China's ICBM launch was not included at all in South Korea's press release. On North Korea, the United States used the phrase "complete denuclearization of the DPRK," while South Korea referred only to "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

Meanwhile, in a press briefing for the American media, Secretary Rubio was asked whether the United States had requested Asian allies, including South Korea, to dispatch naval assets such as warships to the Strait of Hormuz. He answered, "We did not directly make that request today, but we have had such discussions in the past," adding, "It's not something that must be done, but if they do so, it would be helpful." Despite ongoing bilateral issues, including stalled follow-up negotiations on the South Korea-U.S. security agreement, no bilateral diplomatic meeting with the United States took place during this ARF event.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.