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Japan Defense Minister Koizumi, S. Korea Defense Minister Ahn meet

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (front, L) and South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back pose for a photo in Singapore on May 30, 2026. Koizumi and Ahn confirmed during their talks that Japan and South Korea will resume a joint search-and-rescue exercise, reflecting improving ties between the nations after years of strained diplomatic and defense relations.

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (L) plays table tennis with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back following talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (L) and his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back pose for a photo following talks at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back (R) receives a guard of honor at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. Ahn held talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi (L) the same day. (Pool photo)

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi meets the press after holding talks with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back (2nd from R) holds talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinjiro Koizumi at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) holds talks with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back (2nd from R) at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) shakes hands with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026, ahead of their talks. (Pool photo)

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (2nd from L) holds talks with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan-S. Korea defense talks

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi (R) shakes hands with his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's base in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Jan. 30, 2026, ahead of their talks. (Pool photo)

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U.S.-S. Korea security talks

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a joint press conference with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back following their security talks in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2025. (Pool photo)

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U.S.-S. Korea security talks

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a joint press conference with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back following their security talks in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2025. (Pool photo)

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U.S.-S. Korea security talks

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back (R) and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hold a joint press conference following their security talks in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2025. (Pool photo)

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U.S.-S. Korea security talks

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) receives a guard of honor during a welcome ceremony held ahead of security talks with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back (L) in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2025. (Pool photo)

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U.S.-S. Korea security talks

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (L) looks at South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back during a joint press conference following their security talks in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2025. (Pool photo)

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U.S.-S. Korea security talks

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth salutes during a welcome ceremony held ahead of security talks with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2025. (Pool photo)

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U.S.-S. Korea security talks

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) salutes during a welcome ceremony held ahead of security talks with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2025. (Pool photo)

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U.S.-S. Korea security talks

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) salutes during a welcome ceremony held ahead of security talks with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2025. (Pool photo)

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U.S.-S. Korea security talks

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) receives a guard of honor during a welcome ceremony held ahead of security talks with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back (L) in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2025. (Pool photo)

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U.S.-S. Korea security talks

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (L) salutes during a welcome ceremony held ahead of security talks with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back (R) in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2025. (Pool photo)

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U.S.-S. Korea security talks

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (L) attends a welcome ceremony ahead of security talks with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu Back (R) in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2025. (Pool photo)

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Japanese, S. Korean defense ministers

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (L) and his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back enter the South Korean defense ministry in Seoul on Sept. 8, 2025.

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Japanese, S. Korean defense ministers

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (L) and his South Korean counterpart Ahn Gyu Back enter the South Korean defense ministry in Seoul on Sept. 8, 2025.