Will the North Korea issue heat up the Quad Summit and the US-South Korea Defense Dialogue?

Leaders of the Quad grouping are expected to discuss the security challenge from North Korea and cooperation between the country and Russia at an upcoming summit in Delaware, the US, on September 21.

Photo provided by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) of the test launch of a new tactical ballistic missile on September 18.

On September 19, Yonhap news agency quoted Ms. Mira Rapp-Hooper, Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania at the US National Security Council, saying that Washington and its allies and partners are extremely concerned about North Korea's nuclear program.

The remarks come as Pyongyang recently unveiled a uranium enrichment facility and resumed weapons testing. Ms. Hooper also stressed the importance of the trilateral security partnership between South Korea, the US and Japan in addressing the North Korean issue.

The Quad summit will be attended by US President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The leaders will discuss a wide range of issues to advance their shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The next Quad summit will be hosted by India.

Not only at the Quad Summit, the North Korean issue is also expected to be a key issue in the 25th regular Korea-US Joint Defense Dialogue (KIDD), taking place in Seoul from September 23-24.

The dialogue, which is seen as part of preparations for the annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in the fall, will address key defense issues, such as enhancing extended deterrence efforts, developing a science and technology alliance, and strengthening solidarity and cooperation with like-minded partners.

South Korean Vice Defense Minister for Policy Cho Chang-rae and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia Anka Lee will lead the talks.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/van-de-trieu-tien-se-lam-nong-thuong-dinh-bo-tu-va-doi-thoai-quoc-phong-my-han-287042.html