After US President Trump announced a reduction in the scale of joint military exercises with South Korea, raising doubts in the Pacific region, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on the 18th that cooperation among Japan, South Korea, and the US is "crucial" for regional security, while Australian Defense Minister Marles stated that Australia is "deeply concerned" about North Korea’s nuclear program.
During his visit to Australia, Shinjiro Koizumi expressed strong support for security cooperation between Japan and its main defense supporter, the United States, as well as neighboring South Korea.
Koizumi told reporters: “Since Japan is facing the most severe and complex security environment since the war, cooperation among Japan, the US, and South Korea is critical for the peace and stability of the region.”
Just before Japanese and Australian officials held a meeting in Canberra, Trump praised his relationship with North Korea and criticized South Korea for not assisting the US in its military actions against Iran.
When asked about Trump’s remarks, Australian Defense Minister Marles said that Australia is “very worried” about North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, and has always emphasized this point.
Marles added: “I think the world we are in right now is full of many challenges... among them, North Korea is a major source of these challenges.”
● Trump: Kim Jong Un Has Responded to His Dialogue Request
On the 17th, Trump stated that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had responded to his request for dialogue, but he did not reveal the content of the response.
Trump emphasized that “everything I do is to make the situation safer,” and said, “I understand him (Kim Jong Un), and he understands me. I get along well with him.”
US media, quoting senior US military officials, reported that Trump’s sudden remarks took the Department of Defense by surprise. Based on this, it is speculated that Trump may have unilaterally directed the reduction of US-South Korea joint exercises without consulting the Department of Defense.