US Joint Chiefs Chairman: "North Korea and China Pursuing Unprecedented Military Buildup... We Must Face It"

"Focused on Rebuilding Deterrence...
Trilateral Cooperation Is Essential"

On July 11, Dan Kane, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated, "Currently, North Korea and China are pursuing an unprecedented level of military buildup, and this is a move with a clear and explicit intent," adding, "We must face this reality."

Chairman Kane made these remarks during his opening statement at the Tri-CHOD (Trilateral Chiefs of Defense) meeting held at the Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, earlier that morning. He emphasized, "The three countries must combine their best combat capabilities and strengths to ensure that we are ready to 'fight together and win together, even tonight.'"

This Tri-CHOD meeting, held in Seoul for the first time, was attended by Chairman Kane, Kim Myungsoo, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea, Yoshida Yoshihide, Chief of Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Xavier Brunson, Commander of US Forces Korea, and Steven Jostin, Commander of US Forces Japan.

Chairman Kane recalled, "Eleven years ago, in 2014, the chiefs of defense from the three countries met for the first time in Hawaii, USA, to discuss important security issues. At that time, the meeting focused on newly emerging security threats in the region, specifically North Korea's nuclear and missile threats." He also pointed out, "Now, we are entering a very delicate and important period in the history of each of our countries."

Kane went on to mention North Korea and China, stating, "The US position is clear. We are focused on rebuilding deterrence, and for this, trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan is essential."

Kane's remarks on this day are interpreted as highlighting the need for trilateral military cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan to expand beyond North Korea to also address China. Within and outside the second administration of US President Donald Trump, there has recently been a growing argument that the role of US Forces Korea should be adjusted from its traditional focus on North Korea to also include deterring China, such as in the Taiwan Strait issue. Kane himself stated during a US Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing last April that "if confirmed, I will assess the size of US forces stationed in South Korea and Japan and submit recommendations to the Secretary of Defense and the President."

Meanwhile, Chairman Kim stated regarding the meeting, "As North Korea's nuclear and missile threats become more advanced and security challenges remain in the region, it is extremely important to maintain the momentum of security cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan and to continue its development." He added, "Through today's meeting, I hope that security cooperation among the Republic of Korea, the United States, and Japan will be further strengthened and develop in a future-oriented manner."

Yoshida, Chief of Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, who visited South Korea for the first time in 15 years in this capacity, also presented several key points: institutionalizing trilateral cooperation that is not affected by political circumstances; strengthening trilateral solidarity to reinforce deterrence against North Korea; and enhancing cooperation among the three countries for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, where complex threats and uncertainties persist.