Indian Council of World Affairs

The Japan-ROK-US Trilateral Summit at Camp David on 18 August 2023 is the first standalone leaders-level Summit between the three countries held independent of their meeting at the side-lines of larger multilateral forums such as the NATO Summit (June 2022), the East Asia Summit (November 2022), and the G7 Summit in Hiroshima (May 2023). The Camp David Summit thus makes it the fourth meeting since 2022 that the leaders of the three countries have met in the context of the trilateral partnership. The last time, the properties of Camp David where historical meetings have taken place was opened up to the Heads of State was in 2015, when former President Barack Obama and heads of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States met.[1]

The Trilateral Summit at Camp David was symbolic of how the three countries are reaching a new stage in their relationship. The Summit at Camp David can be considered as historically significant for jointly inaugurating a new era for institutionalizing the Japan-ROK-US trilateral partnership. In addition, the Trilateral Summit at Camp David has reaffirmed that the three leaders are looking to enhance strategic coordination between the Japan-US alliance, the ROK-US alliance and bring the trilateral security cooperation to new heights.[2] The three countries jointly announced their intentions to hold annual, multi-domain trilateral exercises on a regular basis to enhance coordinated capabilities and cooperation.[3]

It is also pertinent to highlight that this was the fifth time in 2023 that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Yoon Suk-yeol have met, following their previous meetings in Tokyo, Seoul, Hiroshima, and Vilnius (Lithuania).[4] The increased frequency of the bilateral Summit meetings between the heads of Japan and the ROK in 2023 alone can be considered as a significant shift in perspectives and approaches as compared to the previous era. 

The apparent shift in approach adopted by President Yoon Suk-yeol towards Japan, does come at the cost of losing popular domestic support due to the historical disagreements still lingering in the memories of the local population of the ROK. However, the Conservative party leader Yoon Suk-yeol is seemingly overlooking the domestic risk in order to prepare a future oriented outlook in the country for a more existential threat arising from the nature of North Korea’s continued and intensified provocations. 

In public, the Japan-ROK-US Trilateral Security Cooperation has also been displayed as a measure against North Korea’s incessant ballistic missile aggravations coupled with the nuclear threat it poses. Nevertheless, an analysis of the Trilateral Summit documentations correspondingly asserts that the focus of the trilateral is also intended towards China, combined with the Ukraine-Russia conflict. As a matter of fact, China had already warned before the Summit at Camp David that it would be the “starting shot for a cold war”, which will bring more regional risks.[5]

In terms of key developments in the Trilateral Summit at Camp David, there were some significant announcements with regard to regional governance, economic security, and a new trilateral mechanism on coordinated extended deterrence. The three countries have also decided to meet at least on an annual basis to build on the momentum of the Camp David Summit, thus institutionalizing the partnership. Three focus documents were issued after the meeting, which are the Camp David Principles,[6] the Japan-ROK-US Joint Leaders’ Statement,[7] and Commitment to Consult among Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States.[8]

The Camp David Principles announced were a set of principles that affirm a strong partnership between Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States, and their shared commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region based on respect for international law, shared norms, and common values. Another principle includes unwavering support for ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) centrality and unity and the ASEAN-led regional architecture.

They are also committed to dialogue with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) with no preconditions and to promote the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The Principles also state that the three countries are determined to work closely with Pacific Island countries and the Pacific Islands Forum as the region’s leading institution, consistent with the Pacific Way. Additionally, in relation to technology cooperation between the three countries, it emphasizes their commitment to cooperation and collective advancement.

Through the Japan-ROK-US Joint Leaders’ Statement, the three countries have marked the beginning of a new era of trilateral partnership to tackle global challenges, while advancing the security and prosperity of all people. They aim to facilitate regular and timely communication, holding annual trilateral meetings between their leaders, foreign ministers, defence ministers, national security advisors, and, for the first time, their finance, commerce, and industry ministers. In line with their agreements, the joint military exercises between the three countries held in mid-August 2022, the first since 2017, are also expected to be regularized and institutionalized into trilateral multi-domain exercises.

The Joint Statement also provides a reaffirmation that the US-extended deterrence commitments to both Japan and the ROK are ironclad and backed by the full range of the US capabilities. They express apprehensions about the DPRK's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, condemning its missile launches that threaten peace in the Korean peninsula. They stress their commitment to the principles of international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), emphasizing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the international community. They advocate the complete denuclearization of the DPRK in accordance with relevant UNSC (United Nations Security Council) resolutions. In short, the analysis of the Joint Statement suggests a move towards stronger trilateral collaboration to combat regional security threats and uphold international law.

In addition to the deepening of their security partnership, the three countries also vowed to maintain focus on building cooperation on economic security and technological spheres. These would include cooperation on supply chain resilience of semiconductors and batteries, technology security and standards, clean energy and energy security, biotechnology, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and scientific research.

The partners also voiced concerns over actions that contradict the rules-based international order, specifically pointing to China's aggressive maritime claims and the militarization in the South China Sea. The trilateral partnership firmly opposes any unilateral attempts by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to change the status quo of the Indo-Pacific waters, whereas, with regard to the Taiwan Cross-Strait issues, the joint statement calls for a peaceful resolution. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC spokesperson Wang Wenbin was quick to convey how the Camp David Summit’s statement on Taiwan and maritime issues was an act of gross interference on China’s internal affairs.[9] The spokesperson further emphasized upon the US to stop smearing China’s image, stop harming China’s interests, and avoid creating divisions and confrontations that undermine regional peace and stability.[10]

Through the Commitment to Consult statement, Japan, ROK, and the US are underscoring their commitment to work together to address the regional challenges and threats affecting their collective interests and security. Through these consultations, they propose to share information, align their messaging, and coordinate response actions while upholding their individual security interests or strategic autonomy. 

These consultations will be additionally facilitated with investment in technology for real-time warning and data sharing on North Korea’s missile launches, which will be communicated via a three-way hotline for the leaders and the government officials. The operationalization of the real-time sharing of data on North Korea’s missile test launches is expected by the year end of 2023. In essence, the commitment allows for supplemental coordination and consultation without creating new rights or obligations under international or domestic law. 

Overall, the Trilateral Summit at Camp David is indicative of how the three countries have entered into a new era of security cooperation amidst the flux in geopolitics and the underlying threats and challenges to the regional security environment in the Indo-Pacific region. The Trilateral Security Cooperation is publicly being promulgated to tackle regional security challenges against DPRK’s aggravations. However, as the trilateral operationalizes its planned joint defence exercises, improved information sharing, and increased cooperation on ballistic missile defence, in close geographical proximity to not only the DPRK but also the PRC, it expresses the willingness of the trilateral to prevent Beijing’s unilateral attempts at changing the status quo.

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*Dr Tunchinmang Langel, Research Fellow, Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA)
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal.

Endnotes

[1] The White House (2015). “U.S.- Gulf Cooperation Council Camp David Joint Statement”. May 14, 2015. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/05/14/us-gulf-cooperation-council-camp-david-joint-statement (Accessed 18 August 2023)

[2] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (2023). “Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit and Working Lunch”. August 18, 2023. https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/na2/page1e_000744.html (Accessed 21 August 2023)

[3] The White House (2023). “The Spirit of Camp David: Joint Statement of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States”. August 18, 2023. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/18/the-spirit-of-camp-david-joint-statement-of-japan-the-republic-of-korea-and-the-united-states/ (Accessed 21 August 2023)

[4] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (2023). “Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit and Working Lunch”. August 18, 2023. https://www.mofa.go.jp/a_o/na2/page1e_000744.html (Accessed 21 August 2023)

[5] Liu Xin and Yu Xi (2023). “Camp David Summit Could Be 'Starting Shot' for New Cold War”. August 18, 2023. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202308/1296551.shtml (Accessed 22 August 2023)

[6] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (2023). “Camp David Principles”. August 18, 2023. https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100541778.pdf (Accessed 22 August 2023)

[7] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (2023). “The Spirit of Camp David: Joint Statement of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States”. August 18, 2023. https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100541827.pdf (Accessed 22 August 2023)

[8] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (2023). “Commitment to Consult Among Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States”. August 18, 2023. https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100541780.pdf (Accessed 22 August 2023)

[9] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (2023). “Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on August 21, 2023”. https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/202308/t20230821_11129753.html (Accessed 22 August 2023)

[10] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (2023). “Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on August 21, 2023”. https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xwfw_665399/s2510_665401/2511_665403/202308/t20230821_11129753.html (Accessed 22 August 2023)