South Korea–Japan Strengthen Security Cooperation
- Dogeon Lim
- Nov 19
- 1 min read
Nov 19, 2025
Dogeon Lim
Top military powers from Japan, South Korea, and the United States said strengthening cooperation is important to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific.
The defense chiefs of South Korea and Japan met in Malaysia on November 1st and maintained the importance of their three-sided security cooperation with the United States in the face of supporting North Korean nuclear and missile threats, the defense ministry announced.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back held talks with new Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on the occasion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, according to the ministry.
Here, Ahn emphasizes the importance of bilateral coordination and cooperation to strategically cope with geopolitical uncertainties and complex security challenges facing the two nations.
In reply, Koizumi highlighted that South Korea is an important neighboring country and a partner, responding to various issues facing the international community.
South Korea’s Defense Minister Ahn said that North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile programs, including its new Hwasong-20 missile and recent launches, are a serious threat to peace in the region. He stressed that not only South and North Korea, but also nearby countries like China and the international community must work together to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula.
He reaffirmed South Korea’s “two-track” strategy toward North Korea maintaining strong deterrence through the South Korea-U.S. alliance while also pursuing reduced military tensions and building trust. Ahn also vowed to deepen defense cooperation with ASEAN through personnel exchanges, education programs, and expanded arms and technology partnerships to strengthen regional security.
