The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met yesterday with Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and Republic of Korea Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on the sidelines of APEC Economic Leaders' Week in Gyeongju to underscore that deeper trilateral cooperation advances trusted economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific, tangibly benefits our shared economic well-being, and advances safety, security, and prosperity in a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Secretary and the Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the joint statement from the trilateral meeting of the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea on September 22 and respective bilateral deliverables from the President's visit to Japan and the ROK, including on emerging technologies and critical minerals supply chain resilience. They also welcomed recent outstanding progress in trilateral coordination and reiterated their shared commitment to the complete denuclearization of the DPRK and the maintenance of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy.

The Secretary and Foreign Minister Motegi also congratulated Foreign Minister Cho and the Republic of Korea on a successful APEC host year and committed to maintain close coordination during China's APEC 2026 host year.

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