The United States - Japan - South Korea trilateral relationship: Recently enhanced cooperation.

Abstract

Japan and South Korea hold pivotal roles as key allies of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region. Throughout successive administrations, a concerted effort has been directed towards fortifying trilateral cooperation, advancing not only the strategic interests of the United States but also fostering a shared strategic agenda among the three nations. The trajectory of this trilateral relationship is intricately tied to the historical disagreements between Japan and South Korea. Given these complexities, the current administrations of the United States, Japan, and South Korea have recently intensified their focus on enhancing trilateral relations. This article aims to analyse the concerted endeavours and objectives aimed at bolstering the trilateral relationship between the United States, Japan, and South Korea under the current governance of these nations. Furthermore, it will explore the potential implications of strengthening the cooperation among the United States, Japan, and South Korea on the regional security landscape.