The top diplomats of South Korea, the United States and Japan called for an end to actions that "destabilize" security around the Taiwan Strait, in what appears to be a veiled warning to China amid increasing military exercises in the area.

BRUSSELS (Kyodo) -- The foreign ministers of Japan, the United States and South Korea on Thursday voiced "serious concerns" over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs as well as its growing military cooperation with Russia, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

North Korea criticised a recent agreement by Japan and the United States on co-producing air-to-air missiles as aggravating regional security risks and another example of Washington's push to militarize Japan,

The strength of these alliances depends on whether Trump views Tokyo and Seoul as bulwarks against China’s rise or vassals that can be extorted for financial gain.

China, Japan, and South Korea agreed to a joint response to US tariffs after their first economic dialogue in five years. They plan to strengthen supply chains, cooperate on export controls, and pursue a free trade agreement.

Stocks in auto export powerhouses Japan and South Korea both plunged Monday in anticipation of stiff new tariffs on Asian goods imported into the U.S. that are set to go into effect Wednesday.

(Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool Photo via AP) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, center, speaks during their trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting with Japan and South Korea in Tokyo Saturday, March 22, 2025.(Rodrigo Reyes Marin/Pool Photo via AP) Japanese ...

The comments came after the three countries held their first economic dialogue in five years. Read more at straitstimes.com.