Quad Four Countries Hold High-Level Diplomatic Talks Among Foreign Ministers

Discussion on North Korea and South China Sea Issues

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The four countries of the 'Quad'?the United States, India, Japan, and Australia?held a high-level meeting to discuss issues including North Korea and the South China Sea.

On the 18th (local time), the U.S. Department of State stated in a press release, "The four democratic countries discussed practical ways to coordinate efforts to support countries vulnerable to malicious and coercive economic activities in the Indo-Pacific region."

The State Department said that participants reviewed recent strategic changes across the Indo-Pacific region, including the South China Sea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Mekong, reaffirming the Quad's strong support for the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

According to Kyodo News, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the meeting participants discussed regional situations such as North Korea, the East China Sea, and the South China Sea.

This meeting followed the in-person foreign ministers' meeting held in Japan last October. The four Quad countries agreed to continue regular consultations at ministerial, senior official, and working levels.