Seoul and Tokyo’s defence ministers met in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, reinforcing their joint security stance with the United States amid rising North‑Korean nuclear and missile threats. The meeting happened during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting‑Plus, a forum that gathers leaders from the region to discuss defense matters.
South Korea and Japan agree on a united front
South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu‑back welcomed Japan’s newly appointed Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and stressed the importance of strong bilateral coordination. Koizumi responded that South Korea is a key neighbour and an essential partner in tackling international security challenges. The two vowed to deepen their defense ties, focusing on future‑oriented cooperation.
North Korea’s growing threats push the focus
The meeting came as North Korea announced its latest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong‑20, and conducted short‑range missile tests in October. Ahn urged global cooperation to deny North Korea further weapons growth and called for a “two‑track” strategy: maintaining a credible deterrent through the U.S.–South Korea alliance while seeking ways to ease tensions on the peninsula.
Broadening regional partnerships
Beyond the South‑Korea‑Japan dialogue, Ahn also met with defence chiefs from Australia, Malaysia, Thailand and China. He asked China to play a constructive role in stabilizing the Korean Peninsula and discussed expanding defense and arms‑industry collaboration with Australia, Malaysia and Thailand. Ahn pledged to increase personnel exchanges, joint training and technology sharing across ASEAN to strengthen regional stability.
Key takeaways
- South Korean and Japanese ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a united security posture with the United States and the ASEAN region.
- The urgency of countering North Korea’s missile advances remains a central theme.
- Ahn highlighted a balanced approach that combines deterrence with diplomatic engagement.
- Expansion of defense cooperation across Southeast Asia aims to bolster regional resilience against emerging threats.
Source: ianslive
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