©  AP

President Biden has welcomed leaders from South Korea and Japan to the Camp David presidential compound today to bolster shared security commitments amid threats from China and North Korea.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived at the one-day summit this morning. 

Historically, Japan and South Korea have long had strained relations over Japanese colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula up through modern disputes on issues such as trade.

“Strengthening the ties between our democracies has long been a priority for me dating back to when I was vice president of the United States,” Biden said at the start of their meeting. “That’s because our countries are stronger and the world is safer … as we stand together. I know this is a belief we all three share.”

A senior Biden administration official told reporters ahead of the summit that Yoon and Kishida are displaying “courageous diplomacy” by joining Biden. 

“In each country, there is substantial questions and even opposition about some of the steps that have been taken,” the official said. 

The Hill’s Laura Kelly breaks down four key things to know about the historic summit.

Today is Friday, Aug. 18. I’m Elizabeth Crisp with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here. 

A quick note: I’ll be passing the 12:30 baton back to Cate Martel starting next Monday. It’s been a pleasure to be your temporary midday guide to the latest political news and events the past several months!

I’ll still be covering politics here at The Hill, and as always you can reach me at ecrisp@digital-stage.thehill.com and follow me on X/Twitter @elizabethcrisp.

The first GOP debate of the 2024 presidential cycle is next week, but it’s still unclear whether the frontrunner, former President Trump, will show up or if it will instead feature lower-tier candidates trying to gain traction. 

Trump’s not saying for sure, but he’s clearly signaling he doesn’t plan to be there when his GOP rivals duke it out Wednesday in Milwaukee. (The Hill) 

“Many people are asking whether or not I will be doing the DEBATES? ALL AMERICANS have been clamoring for a President of extremely High Intelligence. As everyone is aware, my Poll numbers, over a ‘wonderful’ field of Republican candidates, are extraordinary,” he said in a Truth Social post this week. 

Trump touted his strength in polling and record in office, adding, “so why would I Debate?”

For the other candidates, who include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Govs. Chris Christie (N.J.) and Nikki Haley (S.C.), Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) and biotech businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, the debate could prove to be a make-or-break point in the crowded race. Trump has held a commanding lead in the primary as his rivals have jockeyed to just get into the double digits.  

To qualify for Wednesday’s debate, the Republican National Committee has required that candidates have scored at least 1 percent in three high-quality national polls or a mix of national and early-state polls and at least 40,000 campaign donors, with 200 coming from at least 20 states. 

Candidates are also required to sign a “loyalty pledge,” saying they will back whoever wins the 2024 nomination for the party. 

GOP debates in 2016 attracted millions of viewers, so it will be a big stage. 

Behind the scenes: Republican leaders have been begging Trump to take part, and his Republican rivals, including Christie, Pence and DeSantis, are trying to goad him into joining the debate. 

A political action committee backing DeSantis is running ads slamming Trump as “too weak to debate” and questioning the 77-year-old’s “stamina.” But it’s unlikely Trump will bow to taunts. 

But, but, but … Remember: Trump skipped the Fox News-hosted GOP presidential debate in Des Moines in January 2016 ahead of the Iowa caucuses and instead held his own event across town. 

Here’s what Trump said the next morning: “I did something that was very risky, and I think it turned out great because I’m on the front page of every paper. I’m getting more publicity than if I [debated].” 

When he announced plans to skip another Fox-hosted 2016 debate that was set to take place in Salt Lake City, the whole thing was scrapped. (The Hill) 

After dog owners expressed frustration at the doorbell sound Fox used in the 2016 debate cycle, the network has adopted a new times-up signal. 

As first reported by Politico, the new chime is “dog-safe” and “like a game show bell.” 

The main campaign arm for Senate Democrats has a target on West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice (R). 

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has launched a billboard campaign, after the Democratic group already sued the governor for the release of his official schedule. 

The billboards, which are close to Justice’s famed The Greenbrier luxury resort and the nearby Kanawha County Courthouse, are scheduled to be there for at least a month, according to plans detailed exclusively to The Hill. 

“Jim Justice won’t be able to hide the looming questions being raised about his absence on the job, his shady finances, mountain of additional scandals, and blistering attacks from his GOP opponent,” DSCC spokesperson Amanda Sherman said in a statement. 

What’s at stake: The West Virginia Senate seat held by Sen. Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat who has flirted with an independent switch, is seen as a key pick-up opportunity as the GOP aims to regain control of the Senate in 2024. 

Manchin, who has frequently ruffled the feathers of his fellow Democrats on key priorities, hasn’t said whether he’ll seek reelection in the upcoming race. 

Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) is running against Justice in the GOP primary. (The Hill) 

Wanna help deck the halls of the White House for the holidays? “Santa” Biden is looking for some elves (volunteer holiday decorators, open house volunteers and performers) for upcoming holiday celebrations!  

Applications are now open for potential volunteers from all U.S. states and territories. Military-connected family members, educators, front line workers and students are especially encouraged to apply. (The Hill) 

Deadline: 5 p.m. Sept. 7. 

Need to know: Selected volunteers have to agree to be in D.C. during the outlined periods and must pay for their own travel and personal expenses. Group applications aren’t accepted. Volunteers should be 18 or older. 

Details and application links via the White House here. 

Hurricane Hilary is on the path to hit California this weekend. 

Forecasters at the National Weather Service predict the Category 4 storm currently churning in the Pacific will make landfall on the Baja California peninsula in Mexico on Saturday and reach California by Sunday. 

It likely (and hopefully) will weaken to a tropical storm before making it to the U.S. But that still would make it California’s first tropical storm to make landfall in more than eight decades. And natural disasters haven’t exactly been predictable lately.  

It’s important to have a game plan if you are in the area. (Friends in Louisiana, who know a thing or two about hurricanes/tropical storms, have some advice here.) 

“Heavy rainfall in association with Hilary is expected to impact the Southwestern United States through next Wednesday, peaking on Sunday and Monday,” the National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory. (The Hill) 

Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley (D) reeled social media followers in with the fun fish facts, and then he hit with them with the climate crisis clip in a one-two punch with dramatic effect on X. (Thread) 

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) shared a video on X about helping her state as it faces a daunting task of rescue, recovery and rebuilding after the catastrophic Maui wildfires that have left more than 120 people dead and basically leveled the once-beautiful, historic town of Lahaina. 

“Now more than ever, it’s critical we work together to prevent wildfires and protect our communities,” she wrote. 

The House and Senate are out. President Biden is at Camp David, and Vice President Harris is in Los Angeles.  

• 8 a.m.: President Biden received the Presidential Daily Briefing.   
• 8:30 a.m.: National security adviser Jake Sullivan briefed reporters. 
• 11 a.m.: Biden welcomed President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan to their Camp David Trilateral Summit. 
• 11:15 a.m.: Biden began the meeting with Yoon and Kishida. 
• 3 p.m.: Biden will hold a joint press conference with Yoon and Kishida. 
• 6 p.m.: Biden is scheduled to leave Camp David for a brief stop at Joint Base Andrews (JBA).  
• 6:45 p.m.: Biden and the first lady are scheduled to depart JBA en route to Reno, Nev. 
• 10:30 p.m.: The Bidens are scheduled to arrive in Reno. 

All times Eastern.

• 3 p.m.: Biden will hold a joint press conference with President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan. (Watch here) 
• On the radar: The Gathering, hosted by talk radio host Erick Erickson, takes place in Atlanta today and Saturday, with addresses from GOP presidential hopefuls Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, as well as other conservative VIPs. (Check the schedule and listen here)

🎶 It’s getting hot in here 🎶 … because it’s time for fajitas. You can find the sizzling dish on most Tex-Mex menus. Honestly, it’s too hot outside to even recommend that you make your own, but hats off to the adventurous.  

And because you made it this far, check out this video of a kitty taking the song “Cat’s in the Cradle” a little too literally… 

Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to ecrisp@digital-stage.thehill.com. A friend forward this to you? Subscribe here.

View past issues of 12:30 Report here and check out other newsletters from The Hill here. See you next time!