South Korea, the United States and Japan are set to discuss Arctic cooperation during a trilateral foreign ministers’ meeting in New York, while reports of a proposed agreement covering Arctic maritime activities and energy resources remain unconfirmed by Seoul.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi are scheduled to meet on 21 September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Arctic cooperation would be among the issues discussed at the meeting. However, a ministry official said no decision had been made on whether or when a memorandum of understanding would be signed.
The clarification follows Japanese media reports that the three countries are considering an MOU on economic security cooperation in the Arctic.
Yonhap News Agency, citing Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun, reported that the proposed agreement would cover maritime use of the Arctic and increased energy supplies. The reported draft includes consultations on expanding the production and supply of Arctic oil and natural gas.
The reports also said the three countries could establish a working-level group tentatively called the Arctic-Pacific Trilateral Partnership to discuss specific areas of cooperation.
Dong-A Ilbo, also citing the Japanese report, said icebreaker technology and marine observation capabilities were among the areas identified for cooperation.
The Arctic discussions follow earlier trilateral talks involving the three governments.
At a foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila on 22 July 2026, the three countries discussed economic security as well as regional and global issues, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry said the ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to maritime security and the lawful use of the seas.
Arctic cooperation was subsequently included among the areas reviewed at a trilateral secretariat steering board meeting in Washington on 24 August 2026. South Korea’s foreign ministry said officials reviewed ongoing work covering Arctic cooperation as well as economic and energy security.
The proposed Arctic MOU and its reported provisions have not been confirmed by the South Korean government.
