President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea, alongside US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, is actively working towards organizing a trilateral summit with Japan by the end of this year. This initiative aims to strengthen deterrence against North Korea and enhance regional security amid escalating tensions between the US and China. National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik indicated that discussions are underway to reach a consensus for this summit, which could occur either on the sidelines of the upcoming APEC forum or as a separate event. Blinken reiterated President Biden's commitment to this summit during a recent meeting in Laos, emphasizing continuity in cooperation among the three nations regardless of the results of the US presidential election. As anticipation grows for this trilateral meeting, Russia has publicly criticized the formation of US-led alliances like the one involving South Korea, the US, and Japan, claiming they exacerbate geopolitical divisions. In response, Shin defended the trilateral cooperation, suggesting that Russia's comments reflect a departure from its responsibilities as a UN Security Council member and align it more closely with rogue states like North Korea. The East Asia Summit, which includes 18 member nations, highlights the complexities of regional diplomacy, especially as high-level discussions among the three allies are set to take place in Seoul soon.