South Korea and Japan Strengthen Defense Ties Amid Regional Tensions

South Korean and Japanese defence ministers agree to enhance cooperation with the U.S. against North Korean nuclear threats and Pyongyang's alliance with Russia. The talks, the first since 2015, also aim to explore high-end military technologies and conduct joint annual drills with the U.S.

In a significant diplomatic development, the defence ministers of South Korea and Japan have pledged to back the United States in combating North Korea's escalating nuclear threat and its military partnership with Russia. This collaborative decision was unveiled by Seoul's defence ministry on Monday.

The ministerial talks, marking the first Japanese defence minister's official trip to Seoul since 2015, occur against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical strain in the region. They come on the heels of a Chinese military display attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, heightening regional tensions.

The discussions, which included commitments to develop defence technologies like AI and aerospace, precede the annual tri-nation drills set for September 15, focusing on improving defensive operations against North Korean provocations.

(With inputs from agencies.)