The Asian Security Conference, where defense ministers from Asia, Europe and the United States will discuss regional security issues, will be held in Singapore on June 2. As North Korea announces the launch of its second military reconnaissance satellite and heightens the sense of caution, attention is focused on how countries will take to improve the security environment.
The Asian Security Conference will be held in Singapore from June 2 to 4 and will be attended by defense ministers from various countries, including Defense Minister Hamada of Japan, U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin, and Chinese Defense Minister Li Shang-fu.
One of the focal points this year is the situation in North Korea, which is expected to be discussed amid heightened alarm among concerned countries such as Japan and South Korea, who announced that a second launch would take place soon following the failed launch of a military reconnaissance satellite on May 1.
Issues such as the South China Sea and the South Pacific are also expected to be discussed, but before the meeting, it was revealed that China rejected the defense ministers' meeting with China proposed by the United States, and there is also interest in what stance each country will take to improve the security environment as the confrontation between the United States and China continues.
In addition, Ukrainian Defense Minister Reznikov is also scheduled to attend the meeting, which is expected to appeal for additional support and strengthen relations with Asian countries.
Japan-U.S.-ROK Defense Ministers' Meeting to Affirm Close Cooperation
Defense Minister Hamada, who will attend the Asian Security Conference, is scheduled to deliver a speech in which he will explain the efforts to fundamentally strengthen defense capabilities included in the National Security Strategy revised in December last year.
In addition, on the sidelines of the meeting, I would like to hold a trilateral defense ministers' meeting and confirm close cooperation based on North Korea's intention to launch a second military reconnaissance satellite as soon as possible.
Furthermore, we will hold in-depth discussions toward the establishment of a mechanism for immediately sharing data on North Korea's missile launches.
Meanwhile, Minister Hamada is making final arrangements to hold the first face-to-face individual meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Lee Sang-fu and South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop.