Yomiuri: South Korea, US, Japan Expected to Sign MOU on Maritime Cooperation in the Arctic

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on September 20, 2026, that South Korea, the United States, and Japan are discussing the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance maritime cooperation and expand energy supply in the Arctic region.

According to the report, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio, and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi will meet on September 22 in New York on the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss the signing of this MOU.

According to the draft memorandum obtained by the Yomiuri Shimbun, the three countries recognize that cooperation in the Arctic is essential for economic security, and will seek consultations aimed at increasing the production and supply of energy resources such as oil and natural gas deposited in the Arctic region.

To this end, the three countries are expected to agree to establish a working group tentatively named the ‘Arctic-Pacific Trilateral Partnership.’ South Korea, the United States, and Japan also plan to seek cooperation with the ‘Arctic Council,’ an organization comprising eight member states, including Denmark and Norway.

Regarding the MOU negotiations, Yomiuri Shimbun interpreted that “as competition with China and Russia intensifies over Arctic sea routes and resources, the three countries aim to strengthen economic security through cooperation in the Arctic region.”

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