Defense ministers from South Korea, Japan and the United States are set to meet in the Philippines ahead of an ASEAN-led regional security gathering in Cebu. Japan’s defense chief Shinjiro Koizumi plans talks with South Korea’s Defense Minister Kang Shin Chul, and also hopes to hold meetings with U.S. and Philippine counterparts during a three-day trip tied to the ADMM-Plus.
Kang arrives in the Philippines to attend the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), his first major multilateral security engagement since taking office in September. Coverage says the Philippines is hosting in Cebu, and that participants will review the regional security environment and discuss strengthening defense cooperation.
Some reports add bilateral detail: Yonhap and Korea Times say Kang will hold one-on-one talks with the U.S. defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, the first such meeting since Kang assumed the role. Korea Times also frames the talks in the context of ongoing alliance issues, including Seoul’s efforts related to wartime operational control.
