US raises China's 'coercive behavior' in Yellow Sea at talks with Japan and South Korea

The three ministers also agreed to work closely on North Korea's alleged "malicious cyber-related activities," according to Japan's Foreign Ministry, Kyodo reported. They signed a memorandum of cooperation on a Trilateral Arctic Pacific Partnership, SBS said.

South Korea's and Japan's own statements referred to attempts to change the status quo but did not name China or the Yellow Sea, according to SBS.

Why it matters: Seoul and Beijing have been at odds over Chinese structures in a jointly managed zone of the Yellow Sea, and the differing statements show how the three allies vary in how directly they address China.