Japan-South Korea Defense Ministers’ Meeting
Overview
On October 28, 2026, Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi, visiting the Philippines to attend the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), met with South Korean Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-cheol. They exchanged views on regional affairs, including North Korea’s nuclear and missile development, and confirmed that close Japan-South Korea and Japan-U.S.-South Korea coordination would continue. They also welcomed high-level communication between the Japanese and South Korean defense authorities and agreed to sustain that momentum and further intensify defense cooperation.
Key points
- The meeting took place on October 28, 2026, during the minister’s visit to the Philippines.
- The two ministers exchanged views on regional affairs and confirmed that close Japan-South Korea and Japan-U.S.-South Korea coordination would continue.
- The two ministers welcomed their communication and agreed to sustain that momentum and further intensify Japan-South Korea defense cooperation.
Overview
On Wednesday, October 28, Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi, who was visiting the Philippines to attend the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), met with South Korean Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-cheol.
Impact
The two ministers exchanged views on regional affairs, including North Korea’s nuclear and missile development, and confirmed that Japan and South Korea, as well as Japan, the United States, and South Korea, would continue to coordinate closely.
The two ministers welcomed the close communication between senior officials of the Japanese and South Korean defense authorities since the beginning of this year and agreed to sustain that momentum and further intensify Japan-South Korea defense cooperation.