The United States and its two Asian allies, Japan and South Korea, will share information on North Korean missile launches. This announcement was made after a meeting of their defense ministers in Singapore where the Shangri-La security summit is taking place. Since the warming of relations between Japan and South Korea, the United States has strengthened its military alliance with its two allies in the face of threats from North Korea, China and Russia.
With our correspondent in Tokyo, Frederic Charles
The United States, Japan and South Korea will exchange data in real time ” to improve each country’s ability to detect and assess missiles launched by North Korea “. This announcement follows the unsuccessful launch a few days ago by Pyongyang of a spy satellite in violation of UN resolutions. For a year, North Korea has multiplied ballistic missile tests and has declared itself a nuclear power.
Reconciliation between Japan and South Korea after years of feuding prompts the United States to take steps to modernize its alliance and strengthen deterrence with its two most important allies in Asia. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin believes the three countries face common challenges. linked to the coercive behavior of China, the dangerous provocations of North Korea and the cruel war chosen by Russia in Ukraine “.
Counterattack ability
Faced with the firing of North Korean missiles, Japan decided to equip itself with a counter-attack capability. The United States will encourage the three countries to return their military forces ” more versatile, more resistant and mobile “. And to conduct joint military exercises.
Japan and South Korea have no choice but to align their defense strategy with that of the United States. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said that “ the Taiwan issue is not just a China-Taiwan issue, but like the North Korea issue, it is a global issue “.
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