(Central News Agency reporter Dai Yazhen Tokyo, 10th) The U.S. State Department convened an emergency meeting in Tokyo with ambassadors from major Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, and China on the 7th. The commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the commander of U.S. Forces Japan also attended. According to Korean media analysis, U.S. President Trump is about to visit China, and there are widespread rumors that he may hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The meeting may involve the U.S. strategy toward China, North Korea issues, and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
South Korea's Chosun Ilbo reported that according to multiple diplomatic sources, the meeting was held by the U.S. State Department at the U.S. Embassy in Japan. Participants included U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel, Ambassador to Japan George Glass, Ambassador to China David Perdue, as well as U.S. ambassadors to the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and other countries.
In addition, the US Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs Kevin. who served as the US Ambassador to South Korea last year. Kevin Kim, and Director of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Gu Liyan also attended the meeting.
For the U.S. State Department, Advisor Daniel Holler and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker attended to explain to the participants the recent Asia policies of Trump and Secretary of State Rubio. It is worth noting that Samuel Paparo, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, and Stephen Jost, commander of the US military in Japan, also participated in the meeting.
Since the Indo-Pacific Command is responsible for coordinating U.S. military operations in the Indo-Pacific region, outsiders believe that the scope of discussion at this meeting may not only be limited to foreign policy, but also involve regional security situations and military response measures.
The report pointed out that Trump is expected to visit China in conjunction with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Summit to be held in Shenzhen, China next month. The United States has convened major diplomatic envoys in Asia before this, possibly to comprehensively review its China policy and cooperation with regional allies.
Paparo has stated in the past that if China launches aggression against Taiwan, the US military will immediately deploy thousands of unmanned surface craft, unmanned submarines and drones to counterattack. It is said that at this meeting, he also briefed on recent developments in the Chinese military and North Korea's dispatch of troops to support Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
In an exclusive interview with the "Asahi Shimbun" in July this year, Yost, commander of the U.S. Forces in Japan, emphasized that the number of personnel in the U.S. Forces Japan Command has increased by more than 200, and it can maintain a 24-hour response system in terms of military supplies, medical and other combat support functions.
On the other hand, this meeting was held at a time when relations between South Korea and the United States continued to be tense. South Korea and the United States have recently had differences on issues such as disputes related to South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang, the timetable for the transfer of wartime operational command authority, and regional security cooperation. In addition, confidential information related to North Korea's nuclear facilities is suspected to have been leaked, resulting in restrictions on intelligence sharing between the two sides, further deepening friction.
With Trump likely to hold leadership talks with Kim Jong-un, whether South Korea and the United States will coordinate in advance has also become the focus of attention. This time, Park Eun-joo, the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, and Kevin. Kim attended the meeting at the same time, which triggered speculation that South Korea-U.S. relations may be discussed in depth at the meeting.
The report quoted Tokyo diplomatic sources as saying that it is necessary to pay attention to the extent to which the South Korea-US alliance and North Korea issues will be discussed at this meeting. Some analysts also believe that while the United States is adjusting its policies toward China and North Korea, it may also examine South Korea's role and the trilateral security cooperation mechanism between the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
The day after the meeting, senior US State Department officials and 10 US ambassadors to Asia jointly visited Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on the 8th.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Motegi pointed out during the talks that the security environment in the Indo-Pacific region is becoming increasingly severe, highlighting the importance of the Japan-US alliance. The United States reiterated the role of the Japan-US alliance in regional security and the importance of strengthening cooperation with countries with similar ideals.
According to the report, some people pointed out that senior officials of the U.S. State Department and 10 ambassadors to Asia visited the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and emphasized the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance, in contrast to the recent conflicts between South Korea and the United States. Some people also believe that the United States' choice to hold important meetings related to Asia policy in Tokyo shows that Washington attaches great importance to Japan's status.
