Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Yoonjoo, who is visiting Malaysia to attend ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, held a trilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya on July 11 (Fri). The three sides discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, as well as ways to enhance economic cooperation among the three countries.

Prior to the meeting, Vice Minister Park expressed condolences regarding the recent flood damage in Texas. Vice Minister Park mentioned that holding the ROK-U.S.-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as his first minilateral engagement since taking office demonstrates the Korean government’s commitment to further developing trilateral cooperation under its pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests. He expressed his hope that the three countries would continue to strengthen their unity and achieve visible and substantive outcomes.

The three countries reaffirmed their firm commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea. They agreed to maintain strong deterrence against North Korea and further expand ROK-U.S.-Japan security cooperation based on close coordination. Vice Minister Park explained the ROK’s efforts to ease inter-Korean tensions and resume dialogue, and emphasized the importance of continued close cooperation with the U.S. and Japan.

The three countries also exchanged views on regional developments and agreed to work together to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, they agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as energy and shipbuilding, and to further deepen collaboration on supply chain stability—including critical minerals—as well as in key and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Vice Minister Park noted with appreciation that trilateral youth exchanges, including the Trilateral Technology Leaders Training Program (June 2025, U.S.) and the 2nd U.S.-ROK-Japan Young Trilateral Leaders Summit (July 2025, Japan), have been successfully carried out. The three sides shared the view that such initiatives should be continued to strengthen the future driving force of trilateral cooperation.

The three countries agreed to continue close communication at all levels and to make proactive efforts to deliver concrete outcomes in ROK-U.S.-Japan cooperation.