U.S., Japan, South Korea to form permanent secretariat to align policies

WASHINGTON -- The U.S., Japan and South Korea will create a permanent secretariat to enhance engagement and align policies, as the trilateral grouping emerges as a key bulwark to maintain peace and security across the Indo-Pacific.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell told reporters before a meeting of vice ministers on Friday, that the aim of the coordinating body is to "make sure that we maintain forward momentum on the important work of this trilateral grouping." The three countries will explore new areas of cooperation, "not just in northeast Asia, but globally," he said.