Japan defence minister says US, South Korea cooperation 'critical' for security

SYDNEY: Japan's defence minister said on Tuesday (Aug 18) that cooperation with South Korea and the United States was "critical" to regional security, after US President Donald Trump seeded doubts in the Pacific region by downsizing joint drills with Seoul.Speaking during a visit to Australia, Shinjiro Koizumi came out strongly in support of joint security cooperation with its key defence backer Washington, and neighbour Seoul."As Japan faces the most severe and complicated security environment in the post-war era, the cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea is critical to the peace and stability of the region," Koizumi told journalists.The Japan-Australia meeting in Canberra came hours after Trump praised his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and lashed