Crucial Diplomatic Talks: Japan Meets South Korea on Eve of Trump’s Presidency

In an effort to deepen relations between the Asian neighbors ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, Japan's foreign minister will meet with senior officials in South Korea on Monday.
According to the South Korean foreign ministry, Takeshi Iwaya will have discussions with his counterpart Cho Tae-yul in Seoul before a joint press conference.

For the first time in over six years, Tokyo's top diplomat is meeting with the fourth-largest economy in Asia.

According to the Japanese government, Iwaya will meet with Choi Sang-mok, the country's acting president, on Tuesday.

Before Trump takes office on January 20, the discussions are anticipated to focus on trilateral collaboration with the United States, a common ally.

In recent years, the three countries have increased their security cooperation, which includes exchanging intelligence on North Korean missile launches.
Last week, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Seoul, Pyongyang announced that it had fired a new hypersonic missile, marking the most recent such test.

South Korean officials are attempting to reassure friends about the stability of their nation during the Seoul-Tokyo meeting.

Following suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol's unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law and his subsequent impeachment, a political crisis has engulfed the thriving East Asian democracy for weeks.

Last month, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated that Tokyo was keeping a close eye on the South Korean situation with "exceptional and serious concerns."

President Joe Biden's choice to prevent Nippon Steel from acquiring US Steel has also caused tensions between the US and Japan.
This month, Ishiba allegedly informed the US president that "strong" reservations have been raised regarding the $14.9 billion transaction, which Biden had rejected due to national security concerns.

In an effort to challenge China's increasing military power and influence in the area, Tokyo is looking to deepen its strategic cooperation with the Philippines, which Iwaya will visit on Tuesday.

As part of Manila's efforts to assert its authority in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims nearly entirely, Japan has been building the Philippine Coast Guard's newest and largest ships.