Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Japan says US-South Korea defence ties critical
Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on Tuesday that cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea was critical to regional peace and stability, after US President Donald Trump downsized joint military drills with Seoul.
Speaking during a visit to Australia, Koizumi strongly backed security cooperation with Washington, Japan's main defence partner, and with neighbouring South Korea.
“As Japan faces the most severe and complicated security environment in the post-war era, the cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea is critical to the peace and stability of the region,” Koizumi told journalists.
The Japan-Australia meeting in Canberra came hours after Trump praised his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and criticised South Korea for not helping Washington fight Iran.
Asked about Trump's comments, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia was “very concerned about North Korea's nuclear programme as well as its missile programme”.
Marles said North Korea was “the author of quite a few” challenges facing the region.
Update
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia was very concerned about North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.
The item adds that the remarks came during a Japan-Australia meeting in Canberra.
The item says Trump praised his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and criticised South Korea over Iran.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 04:20:23 UTC.
Update
Richard Marles also referred to North Korea's missile programme.
Marles spoke in Canberra alongside his Japanese counterpart.
The comments followed US President Donald Trump's comments on reducing US-South Korean military drills and his relationship with Kim Jong Un.
Source note: AFP news report published on 18 August 2026 at 03:49:50 UTC.
Source
AFP news report published on .