**Biden Hosts Trilateral Talks with South Korea and Japan Amid Rising North Korea Tensions**

President Joe Biden is facilitating a significant dialogue with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday, addressing urgent concerns over North Korea's intensifying military cooperation with Russia and the frequent ballistic missile tests by Pyongyang. This crucial meeting is taking place on the fringes of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru.

The backdrop of this high-stakes discussion includes North Korea sending thousands of troops to Russia to assist in reclaiming territory in the Kursk border area, previously seized by Ukraine. Additionally, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has commanded numerous ballistic missile tests preceding the U.S. election, asserting advancements in their capability to target the U.S. mainland. The White House is anxious that North Korea may undertake more provocative actions before and soon after President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed the administration’s concerns, noting, "The possibility of a seventh nuclear test remains ever present and something we're vigilant for." Historical trends suggest that transitions between U.S. presidents often coincide with provocative actions by North Korea.

President Biden is currently on a six-day tour of Latin America, participating in pivotal international summits culminating in a Group of 20 leaders' gathering in Brazil. Throughout his travels, he is expected to field numerous inquiries from global leaders about the potential ramifications of Trump's return to the White House.

During an informal APEC meeting, Biden met with various leaders, including those from Thailand and Vietnam. A substantial agenda item for Biden, Yoon, and Ishiba includes addressing the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia. Up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers have reportedly been sent to bolster Russia's forces, according to assessments from the U.S., South Korea, and Ukraine. Intelligence also notes significant North Korean munitions shipments to Russia, comprising over 13,000 containers of artillery and conventional arms since August 2023.

This summit marks Biden’s first in-person engagement with Ishiba, the newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister as of October, who committed to enhancing Japan's military capabilities under a new security strategy. Ishiba's strategy includes procuring long-range cruise missiles, a pivot from Japan's traditionally self-defense only stance, and seeks to fortify Japan-U.S. military collaboration.

The talks build on a trilateral partnership initiated in 2023 at Camp David, where Biden encouraged Japan and South Korea to strengthen economic and security ties despite historical frictions, particularly in response to threats from North Korea and China's assertive military presence in the Pacific.

Sullivan emphasized that the Biden administration is focused on ensuring the permanence of this cooperation, anticipating continued bipartisan support even under the incoming Trump administration. Both Yoon and Ishiba have already reached out to Trump’s team to maintain stable relations amid rising regional tensions.

Additionally, Yoon plans to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday to discuss topics including economic cooperation and the security landscape on the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, North Korea further escalated tensions by launching a series of short-range ballistic missiles just hours before the U.S. Election Day, followed by a test flight of its newest intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. In response, the U.S. conducted a trilateral drill featuring a long-range B-1B bomber alongside South Korean and Japanese forces, signifying a show of force.