Kyodo News: "Hanmiil to Hold Trilateral Summit at Next Month's G7 UK Meeting"

President Moon May Also Hold Separate Meeting with Prime Minister Suga

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] It has been reported that the three countries of South Korea, the United States, and Japan are considering holding a separate summit during next month's G7 summit in the United Kingdom.

Kyodo News, citing sources, reported on the 15th that South Korea, the United States, and Japan are discussing holding a trilateral summit on the sidelines of the G7 meeting scheduled for November 11-13 in Cornwall, southwestern England.

If the South Korea-U.S.-Japan summit takes place, it will be the first time since September 2017 during the United Nations General Assembly when President Moon met with former U.S. President Donald Trump and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Regarding this trilateral summit, a Japanese government source told Kyodo News, "The United States is positive. There is no reason to refuse." Additionally, a South Korean official said, "We are aiming to hold the (trilateral summit) in line with the G7 summit," Kyodo News added.

At this trilateral summit led by the United States, President Joe Biden is expected to request enhanced trilateral cooperation for North Korea's denuclearization from South Korea and Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is likely to request support for the early resolution of the abduction issue of Japanese nationals by North Korea, which he has prioritized as a top policy task.

Attention is also focused on whether a face-to-face South Korea-Japan summit, which has been interrupted since the meeting between President Moon and former Prime Minister Abe at the China-South Korea-Japan summit in Chengdu in December 2019, will be held on the sidelines of this G7 summit. In this regard, Kyodo News reported that there is strong caution within the Japanese government about holding a formal summit due to conflicts over historical issues.