Canberra, Aug. 18 (SANA)Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Tuesday that cooperation with theUnited Statesand South Korea is vital to regional security, after U.S. PresidentDonald Trumpannounced plans to scale back joint military exercises with Seoul.

Reuters quoted Koizumi as saying during a visit to Canberra that Japan faces its most severe and complex post-war security environment, making trilateral cooperation vital to regional peace and stability.

Koizumi met Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense MinisterRichard Marleshours after Trump praised his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and criticized South Korea for not helping Washington confront Iran.

Marles said Australia was “deeply concerned” about North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and had consistently raised the issue.

The annualUlchi Freedom Shieldexercises between the United States and South Korea began Monday and run through Aug. 27.