What Did US Military Leaders Discuss in Seoul Amid North Korea's Military Buildup?

Strengthening Trilateral Security Cooperation

Seoul: The United States' top military official emphasized the critical need for enhanced security collaboration among South Korea, the US, and Japan to counteract the significant military escalation by North Korea and China.

General Dan Caine, who leads the US Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), made these comments during a trilateral meeting in Seoul alongside his counterparts from South Korea and Japan, Admiral Kim Myung-soo and General Yoshihide Yoshida.

"Our priority in the United States is to restore deterrence, which necessitates trilateral cooperation among our nations," Caine stated.

"North Korea and China are engaged in an unprecedented military buildup with clear intentions to pursue their own objectives."

"We must remain vigilant, demonstrating our resolve and being proactive in our partnerships," he added.

Caine highlighted that their trilateral efforts have evolved from merely addressing North Korean threats to encompassing broader security issues, recalling remarks made by former US JCS chief General Martin Dempsey during a 2014 trilateral meeting.

"That day, General Dempsey noted in the inaugural Trilateral Chiefs of Defence (Tri-Chod) conference that we are paving a future path together, where partnerships can grow through consistent engagement, from building capacity to sharing responsibilities," he remarked, suggesting a shift towards greater responsibility-sharing among allies.

"It is upon the three of us to advance into a particularly sensitive chapter in our nations' shared history," Caine stated.

Both Kim and Yoshida echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of maintaining the momentum of their trilateral cooperation.

"It is crucial to sustain and continuously enhance the momentum of our trilateral cooperation, especially as North Korea's nuclear and missile threats escalate and regional security challenges persist," Kim remarked.

Yoshida emphasized the need to advance and institutionalize trilateral cooperation, irrespective of the political climates in their respective countries, to strengthen deterrence against North Korea.

Following their discussions, the three military leaders issued a joint statement denouncing North Korea's "illegal" weapons development and reaffirmed their commitment to achieving complete denuclearization.

They also addressed North Korea's increasing military ties with Russia, including the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia and the potential transfer of military technology.

"The three defense chiefs reiterated that trilateral security cooperation is vital for fostering peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the Indo-Pacific region," the statement noted.

This meeting marked the first Tri-Chod gathering held in Seoul. Caine's visit was significant as it was the first by a high-ranking US military officer since his predecessor, CQ Brown, visited in November 2023.

Also present from the US were US Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo Jr. and US Forces Korea Commander General Xavier Brunson, as reported by a news agency.

On the sidelines, the defense chiefs planned to visit the South Korean Navy's 2nd Fleet command to honor the 46 sailors who lost their lives in the 2010 torpedo attack on the Cheonan warship.

The next Tri-Chod meeting is scheduled to take place in the United States.