Canberra, Aug. 18 (SANA) Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Tuesday that cooperation with the United States and South Korea is vital to regional security, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to scale back joint military exercises with Seoul.
Reuters quoted Koizumi as saying during a visit to Canberra that Japan faces its most severe and complex post-war security environment, making trilateral cooperation vital to regional peace and stability.
Koizumi met Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles hours after Trump praised his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and criticized South Korea for not helping Washington confront Iran.
Marles said Australia was “deeply concerned” about North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and had consistently raised the issue.
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises between the United States and South Korea began Monday and run through Aug. 27.
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