“You have Japan stepping up in a way that's a real consequence in terms of the defense budget number one, and a beginning of a rapprochement with South Korea, Biden told reporters after the talks. Treaty alliesJapan and South Korea are both U.S. treaty allies. Despite some domestic opposition, Yoon and Kishida have continued their rapprochement by expanding bilateral security and economic cooperation. South Korea, which is not a G-7 member, was invited by Kishida to Hiroshima as an observer, along with the leaders of Australia, Brazil, Comoros, Cook Islands, Indonesia, India, and Vietnam. This year alone North Korea has launched at least 13 missiles this year, including three intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 21, 2023 12:24 UTC