Diplomats from the US, South Korea, and Japan met in Washington on Monday to reaffirm their “unwavering” commitment to trilateral cooperation amid growing regional and global challenges.

Led by Yi Won-woo (South Korea), Kevin Kim (US), and Akihiro Okochi (Japan), the meeting focused on enhancing coordination through the Trilateral Coordinating Secretariat Managing Board, according to the US State Department.

The talks emphasized a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific and the need for institutionalized cooperation in economic, security, and people-to-people ties.

The board reviewed progress on recent initiatives and discussed steps to expand information sharing, joint responses, and the Secretariat’s operational role in regional affairs, including North Korea’s threats, China’s assertiveness, and the Ukraine conflict.

South Korea’s foreign ministry noted the discussion also included future collaboration and expanding the Secretariat’s scope to deliver more substantive outcomes.