South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-Back met with his Japanese counterpart, Gen Nakatani, in Seoul on September 8, 2025. This meeting marks the first official visit by a Japanese defense minister to South Korea in a decade, signifying a crucial moment for bilateral defense cooperation in East Asia.
Minister Nakatani's two-day visit includes engagements at the Seoul National Cemetery and the Korean Navy's 2nd Fleet, symbolizing a shared commitment to acknowledging history and strengthening defense ties. The core of the discussions between Minister Ahn and Minister Nakatani focused on enhancing defense cooperation between their nations and with the United States.
This dialogue occurs against a backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions in the region. A significant factor contributing to these tensions was a large military parade in Beijing on September 3, 2025, which was attended by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This event underscored a growing alignment among North Korea, China, and Russia, prompting South Korea and Japan to proactively bolster their security collaboration.
The meeting between the defense ministers follows recent high-level discussions between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who had agreed to strengthen security and economic ties. However, Prime Minister Ishiba's recent resignation introduces a degree of uncertainty regarding Japan's future foreign policy direction. Despite this, Japan's commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities is evident through a significant increase in its defense budget and a strategic shift towards greater regional engagement.
Japan's 2025 Defense White Paper highlights a heightened awareness of regional threats, emphasizing the necessity of cooperation with like-minded nations to counter unilateral actions and maintain the status quo. The Seoul Defense Dialogue, an annual security forum, provided a platform for these critical discussions. Minister Nakatani is also scheduled to deliver a speech at the dialogue, outlining a vision for strengthened defense cooperation among Indo-Pacific countries that share common values.
This engagement reflects a broader trend of nations re-evaluating their alliances and security strategies in response to a dynamic global landscape. The meeting between the defense ministers represents a step towards fostering greater understanding and coordinated action in navigating the complex security environment of East Asia.