Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Tae-Yul and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko Before Their Meeting

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good afternoon, everyone. One of the hallmarks of President Biden's administration has been this remarkable trilateral process among the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. The trilat is stronger than it's ever been, more effective than it's ever been, and more important than it's ever been, given the shared challenges that we face as well as the many opportunities before us to seize.

Since the historic Camp David meeting we've worked very hard to institutionalize this work, and I look forward today to pursuing that effort. We have political transitions in Japan and the United States, but this trilat irrespective of those transitions will remain vital to the future of all three of our countries - a future that we are working to shape together.

So I couldn't be more grateful to my colleagues for taking the time here in New York to meet together. I look forward to more work in the course of this year in the trilateral format. And with that, let me turn it over to my friend Tae-yul for any remarks you'd like to make.

FOREIGN MINISTER CHO: Thank you, Tony. Very good to see you both again here in New York. Well, it's already seven months since we met in Rio on the margin of the G20 foreign minister meeting. I thank you, Tony, for taking an initiative to hold this second trilateral meeting this year coinciding with the 2024 UNGA High-Level Week.

I think today's meeting is very important for three reasons. One, it is a testament to our commitment to the trilateral cooperation, unwavering amidst the significant political events afoot. Two, it demonstrates our common resolve to cooperate closely on and steadfastly respond to any provocation by North Korea. Three, it is a recognition of our determination to work closely together to address global issues as members of the UN Security Council, where we are seated together for the first time in 27 years.

Since the historic Camp David summit in August last year, we have made tremendous achievements in our trilateral cooperation, and I think at all levels and in many (inaudible) areas. So I look forward to - very much to a fruitful discussion today on the progress we have made so far and the way forward in our common endeavors. Thank you very much.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Yoko.

FOREIGN MINISTER KAMIKAWA: Thank you, Tony, and very nice to meet you again, Minister Tae-yul. I am delighted to be here today to hold this trilateral meeting. A year has passed since the historic summit meeting at Camp David. It is an important achievement that opened a new era of the Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation, advancing our collaboration globally in a wide range of fields. The security environment surrounding us is becoming increasingly severe, and the free and open international order based on the rule of law is facing serious challenges, and that is making our strategic collaboration more important than ever. We would like to further strengthen our coordination in dealing with North Korea and in a wide range of fields. Thank you.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you both very much. And let me just say in closing as our colleagues leave that really this is so much a testament to the vision and determination of three leaders - President Biden, President Yoon, Prime Minister Kishida. And in particular for President Yoon and for Prime Minister Kishida, their courage - political courage - as well as their vision is really why we're here and why this trilateral process is so strong. And we're grateful for it, and I think as we go forward in the future those who follow us will be grateful for the work that we've done to create this strong foundation of cooperation and collaboration among the United States, Republic of Korea, and Japan. Thank you.

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