Biden to host US-Japan-Philippines summit amid North Korea tensions

President Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a White House summit next month, amid rising concerns over North Korea’s nuclear program and Chinese actions in the South China Sea. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced on Monday, March 18, the first-ever U.S.-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit on April 11, underscoring the growing economic ties between the nations.

“At the summit, the leaders will advance a trilateral partnership built on deep historical ties of friendship, robust and growing economic relations, a proud and resolute commitment to shared democratic values, and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Jean-Pierre said. “The leaders will also reaffirm the ironclad alliances between the United States and the Philippines, and the United States and Japan.”

President Biden is also set to meet with President Marcos at the White House on April 11 to assess the significant progress in U.S.-Philippines relations. They will explore ways to enhance collaboration in economic security, clean energy, cultural exchanges, and support for human rights and democratic values. Biden will also reiterate the unwavering alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines, emphasizing America’s dedication to international law and a free, open Indo-Pacific region.

Meanwhile, tensions escalated as North Korean state media reported the country conducted a live-fire drill involving nuclear-capable rockets, targeting South Korea. This comes a day after South Korea and Japan reported North Korea fired short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern coast, days after the U.S. and South Korea completed combined training exercises.

Photos released by North Korea’s state media depict the simultaneous launch of at least six rockets from vehicles, with flames and smoke engulfing what seems to be a small island target.

“(Kim) said that it is necessary to further impress upon the enemies that if an armed conflict and a war break out, they can never avoid disastrous consequences,” the spokesperson said.

He called for his army to “more thoroughly fulfill their missions to block and suppress the possibility of war with the constant perfect preparedness to collapse the capital of the enemy and the structure of its military forces.”