Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy and the spirit of Camp David
As Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines, I find it timely and appropriate to reflect upon the trilateral summit hosted by US President Joe Biden at Camp David on Aug. 18, 2023, in light of its profound implications for the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific region and on Korea-Philippine relations. The summit meeting was attended by President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan.
The significance of this historic summit, the first stand-alone trilateral meeting among Korea, Japan and the United States, is underscored by the multifaceted challenges it addressed. It resolutely conveyed an unequivocal commitment for the complete denuclearization of North Korea, and the leaders explicitly voiced support for the Audacious Initiative of the Korean government for the pursuit of enduring peace on the Korean Peninsula.
On a wider scale, believing that a free and open Indo-Pacific is key to a thriving, connected, resilient and stable environment, the leaders wholeheartedly reaffirmed ASEAN centrality and unity and their support for the ASEAN-led regional architecture. Furthermore, the summit highlighted the importance of upholding rules-based international order, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, in the South China Sea. The leaders reiterated their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific.