PROVIDENCE, RI -- With security threats on the rise in Asia, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today hailed the Camp David summit convened by President Joe Biden with heads of state from Japan and South Korea. 

Today, President Biden and members of his cabinet hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and members of their delegations at the Maryland presidential retreat.  This historic Camp David summit marks the first time that an American president has brought together the heads of Japan and South Korea for a “trilateral summit” where their sole focus is improving economic, diplomatic, and security relations between the two East Asian powers, as well as the United States.

Senator Reed issued the following statement:

“This is a very encouraging breakthrough.  It is a historic day for diplomacy and a positive step for trilateral alignment between the U.S. and our Japanese and South Korean allies on both economic and national defense issues. 

“There has long been historic tensions and differences between Japan and South Korea.  But President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida have both taken meaningful steps to build trust and increase engagement and this summit.  I think both countries understand that they have to work together and cooperate against common threats in the region.  They’re doing that.  And I salute the good work of U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Philip Goldberg, and the tireless efforts of our diplomats in Tokyo and Seoul.

“For decades, American presidents have sought to broker stronger ties between Japan and South Korea.  Today, after years of hard, deliberate diplomacy, President Biden became the first to really break through and help bridge the gap.  Thorny issues remain, but this summit shows significant points of accord and tangible security cooperation that will help safeguard America, Japan, and South Korea.

“By convening this summit, President Biden is advancing the United States’ vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. 

“America is made stronger by our alliances and shared values with free, democratic powers like Japan and South Korea.  Tokyo and Seoul share our commitments to democracy, freedom, and human rights and will vigilantly defend those rights and help deter international conflict.

“The emerging cooperation we are seeing here is a positive sign for a brighter and more secure and stable future with shared economic prosperity.”