South Korea to Increase Cooperation with the U.S. and Japan if North Korean Threats Persist

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on Monday that trilateral cooperation with the United States and Japan will become stronger if threats from North Korea continue. Yoon made this remark during a cabinet meeting, just days after participating in talks with the leaders of the U.S. and Japan, where they agreed to deepen military and economic collaboration. Yoon said during the televised meeting, "The structure of trilateral cooperation between South Korea, the United States, and Japan will become more robust as provocations and threats from North Korea increase," referring to what he termed a "new era" in the relationships among the three countries. The summit held at Camp David in Maryland was the first standalone meeting between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, as the three nations seek to demonstrate unity against China’s growing influence and nuclear threats from North Korea. Yoon emphasized that trilateral cooperation does not exclude other countries, adding that it will contribute to freedom, peace, and prosperity in the region and the world.