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Immediate Release

United States, Republic of Korea, Japan Defense Trilateral Talks Joint Statement

The United States of America, the Republic of Korea, and Japan held a productive and substantive security meeting from April 16-17 in Washington, District of Columbia, to enhance trilateral defense cooperation in light of the evolving security environment in the region.  U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs David B. Shear, ROK Deputy Minister for Defense Policy Yoo Jeh Seung, and Japanese Vice Minister of Defense for International Affairs Tokuchi Hideshi led their respective delegations.

The officials reaffirmed that their governments will not accept North Korea as a nuclear-armed state, and agreed to closely coordinate to deter North Korean provocations.

Each side welcomed the cooperation enabled by the "Trilateral Information Sharing Arrangement Concerning the Nuclear and Missile Threats Posed by North Korea." The three countries decided to continue working-level consultations for effective implementation of the arrangement for sharing information on North Korean nuclear and missile threats.

The Republic of Korea provided a briefing on a conditions-based approach to transition of wartime operational control on the Korean Peninsula. The officials of the three countries confirmed that it would contribute to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.

The officials of the three countries held a constructive discussion on the Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation. The Guidelines will be revised within the framework of the U.S.-Japan Alliance. The officials agreed that it is important to promote this initiative in a manner that contributes to regional peace and stability with transparency and in accordance with international law, including the respect for sovereignty of third countries.

In addition, the three countries held a productive discussion on cooperative measures for non-traditional security issues including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-piracy operations, and counter-ISIL efforts.