Biden Strengthens Alliances at APEC Summit

During the APEC summit in Lima, Peru, President Joe Biden met with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to address escalating tensions from North Korea's military cooperation with Russia. The leaders condemned North Korea's deployment of troops to assist Russia and condemned the transfer of munitions and ballistic missiles, emphasizing the threat this poses to regional stability. Biden highlighted the importance of the strengthened trilateral alliance, particularly in light of historical tensions between South Korea and Japan. He is also expected to discuss these issues with China's Xi Jinping, urging China to curb North Korea's actions. The allies' joint statement underscored a commitment to supporting Ukraine and combating destabilizing actions in the region. This meeting is significant as it represents Biden's last discussions with these leaders before transitioning to a new U.S. administration.