US, Japan, and South Korea Align in Historic Summit
Summit To Be Held At Camp David
Overt Operator
August 17, 2023
In an unprecedented move to strengthen diplomatic ties, U.S. President Joe Biden hosts Japanese and South Korean counterparts at Camp David, Maryland, this Friday. This significant gathering aims at what experts describe as "institutionalizing" connections among the three nations, transforming them into a more tangible trilateral alliance. This milestone is seen as a significant step towards creating stability in a region marred by political uncertainty.
The reaction from Beijing was swift, slamming the summit as a strategy by the United States to build an Asian "mini-NATO," the U.S. State Department explained.
Yet, the impetus for the summit wasn't China, nor was it North Korea and its escalating nuclear-weapons testing. Rather, the fear that a candidate with foreign-policy views similar to former President Donald Trump might regain the White House and dismiss an active U.S. role in North Asia seems to be the driving force.
During Trump's administration, the U.S. shifted its focus away from fostering bilateral relations between Seoul and Tokyo, a departure from traditional proactive encouragement. This led to a weakening of Tokyo-Seoul relations, allowing the "America First" policy to take precedence.
Experts believe that both South Korea and Japan's pursuit of institutionalization is a calculated move to hedge against political uncertainty in the United States. By laying down a framework for cooperation, they hope to create a stable environment in the face of potential changes in American leadership.
However, the term "institutionalization" remains ambiguous. The summit may not yield a formal security arrangement, but it could establish a "three-way hot line" and an in-principle deal for tighter security ties, along with a commitment to annual meetings. According to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the collaboration on a trilateral basis will be further "institutionalized" through regular meetings at various governmental levels.
The summit's goal, as articulated by U.S. ambassador to Tokyo, Rahm Emanuel, is to ensure that the changes are "embedded" into the core of the involved institutions. These changes should not be dependent solely on the current leadership but should become the "new normal" that weaves into the DNA of political, diplomatic, economic, and security institutions.
Nevertheless, the alliance remains fragile. South Korean President Yoon Seok-youl and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida both face domestic challenges. Yoon's pledge for closer military ties with the U.S. and Japan is unpopular in South Korea, while Japan harbors skepticism regarding the durability of the improvement in relations with South Korea.