Washington, Sep 21 (IANS) The United States, Japan and South Korea have agreed to deepen cooperation on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technology and critical supply chains while reinforcing their joint security posture in the Indo-Pacific.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week in New York.
The three officials reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea and urged Pyongyang to return to dialogue, according to a joint statement from the State Department.
They also pledged to strengthen coordination against North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, cyber operations and efforts to generate revenue in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
The ministers welcomed the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team’s work documenting alleged violations and evasion of sanctions by North Korea.
They also cited an alert issued by several countries about North Korean information-technology workers. Western governments have accused Pyongyang of sending technology professionals abroad under false identities to earn money for sanctioned programmes.
The three countries said the path to dialogue with North Korea remained open. They also renewed calls for the resolution of cases involving abductees, detainees, unrepatriated prisoners of war and families separated by the division of the Korean Peninsula.
Economic security formed another major part of the talks.
The ministers opposed economic coercion, market-distorting practices and arbitrary export restrictions that disrupt international supply chains.
They agreed to strengthen a trilateral early-warning system designed to identify emerging supply-chain disruptions. The three governments also announced a new economic security consultation mechanism.
The officials emphasised the need to improve regional energy resilience through larger oil stockpiles and stronger cooperation between energy-producing and energy-consuming countries.
They welcomed Japan’s “POWERR Asia” initiative and South Korea’s efforts to expand regional energy-security cooperation.
The three governments also agreed to implement a July memorandum to accelerate the deployment of small modular nuclear reactors in other countries. They said such projects should follow high standards of nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation.
On emerging technology, the ministers committed their governments to strengthening advanced-technology systems and making supply chains more resilient.
They identified artificial intelligence, quantum technology, digital infrastructure and biotechnology as priority areas. They also backed greater semiconductor cooperation and closer links among their national laboratories.
The ministers reaffirmed US defence commitments to Japan and South Korea, including America’s extended nuclear deterrence.
They stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposed unilateral attempts to change the status quo.
The statement also supported freedom of navigation, overflight and lawful commerce in the Indo-Pacific and other regions in accordance with international law.
The three countries announced cooperation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to disrupt organised criminal networks, particularly scam centres operating in Southeast Asia. Such centres have been accused of conducting large-scale financial fraud while using trafficked workers.
They also launched consultations on international disaster relief and pledged to continue maritime security and law-enforcement cooperation. That effort will include joint assistance to regional partners facing challenges at sea.
–IANS
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