Japan's new leader may be 'X factor in ties with S. Korea, US: Analysts

They believe trilateral partnership will stay intact as interests go beyond security

- Wendy Teo

US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol memorably strolled down a tree-laden path to the entrance of the Camp David US presidential retreat before unveiling an ambitious security pact.

That was a year ago on Aug 18. With Mr Kishida and Mr Biden now set to step down in a matter of months, doubts have surfaced about the trilateral partnership.

However, analysts who spoke to The Straits Times believe the partnership will stay intact despite the leadership changes, given that the three countries share interests that go deeper than security and defence.

Dr Bruce Bennett, a senior defence analyst at US think-tank Rand Corporation, said: "The United States, South Korea and Japan share tremendous trilateral trade and other economic and political relationships. So they have strong practical reasons for maintaining a formal trilateral relationship." The rising threats from China, Russia and North Korea also "make defensive relationships more attractive", he added.

Mr Biden said on July 21 that he was pulling out of the US presidential race, while Mr Kishida announced on Aug 14 his intention to step down as prime minister once his party, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, elects a new leader in late September.