Whereas, the "Indo-Pacific Strategy of the U.S." (2/2022) calls for "deepening our five regional treaty alliances—with Australia, Japan, the ROK (South Korea), the Philippines, and Thailand" in the Indo-Pacific area;
Whereas, the U.S. administration is also working with its military allies to "develop and deploy advanced war-fighting capabilities" in the Indo-Pacific region;
Whereas, on Feb. 12, 2022, the U.S. Secretary of State held a trilateral meeting with the Foreign Ministers of Japan and the ROK in Hawaii and issued a joint statement, committing "to advance trilateral security cooperation;"
Whereas, the three Defense Ministers of the U.S., Japan, and the ROK held a trilateral meeting in Singapore on June 11, and agreed to "deepening trilateral cooperation," including "combined exercises;"
Whereas, the three countries' Special Forces held joint ship-boarding and search drills on July 4, during the RIMPAC naval war exercise;
Whereas, the same three countries held joint anti-missile drills near Hawaii from August 1 to 14, with Australian and Canadian naval forces; and
Whereas, on July 3rd, the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK (North Korea) slammed the trilateral military moves, stating, "the prevailing situation more urgently calls for building up the country's defense..."
Therefore, Be It Resolved, Veterans For Peace, voting by its members in 2022,
- Condemns the U.S. administration's push to form a trilateral military alliance with Japan and South Korea;
- Warns that the formation of such a trilateral military alliance will increase military tensions on the Korean Peninsula;
- Also warns that such a trilateral military alliance involving Japan's military will destroy the Peace Constitution of Japan; and
- Urges VFP members and local Chapters to send a copy of this resolution to their respective members of Congress.
Co-Sponsored by VFP Chapter 113 - Hawaii