The foreign ministers of Japan, the United States and South Korea have reaffirmed they will continue to work closely towards the complete denuclearization of North Korea.

Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met on Thursday. They were in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro to attend the Group of 20 foreign ministers' meeting.

Kamikawa said trilateral strategic cooperation is now more important than ever because there are challenges to a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

The ministers discussed North Korea's advancement of its nuclear and missile development programs. They reaffirmed their continued close cooperation in enhancing regional deterrence and response capabilities through security cooperation and other measures.

They highlighted the advantage that the three countries are members of the United Nations Security Council this year.

Kamikawa expressed her deep concern over the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. She stressed the necessity to keep an eye on the situation, adding that an avenue for dialogue to ease tensions is open.

They also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait in view of China's increased maritime activities.