In D.C. Talks, South Korea and U.S. to Tackle North Korean Threats, Strengthen Alliance

South Korea and the United States are preparing to hold their first Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting in three years. The two nations plan to address the heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, mainly due to the recent deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, as well as broader international security concerns.

The meeting, organized by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will bring together Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae Yul, Defense Minister Kim Yong Hwan, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. This Thursday, these leaders will discuss the South Korea-U.S. alliance, regional security, and other strategic issues. A joint statement will summarize the meeting’s outcomes.

The growing partnership between North Korea and Russia is of particular concern, with recent reports indicating that North Korean troops have been dispatched to Russia, potentially for involvement in the Ukraine conflict. South Korean intelligence estimates approximately 3,000 North Korean troops are already deployed to Russia, with numbers expected to reach around 10,000 by December. The ministers are expected to strongly condemn actions threatening peace on the Korean Peninsula and globally.

In Washington, Cho will discuss ways to enhance the South Korea-U.S. alliance, strengthen South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation, and coordinate responses to North Korean challenges with Blinken. Cho is also expected to engage with U.S. government officials and academic leaders to seek ongoing support and collaboration to advance the alliance.

Following his meetings in Washington, Cho will travel to Ottawa, Canada, to participate in the inaugural South Korea-Canada 2-2 Ministerial Meeting alongside Kim, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, and Defense Minister Bill Blair. Canada became the third country after the United States and Australia, with South Korea conducting a 2+2 ministerial meeting. In Ottawa, the ministers will discuss Korean Peninsula issues, significant regional and global matters, and strategies for cooperation in defense, security, and defense industry. They will also adopt a joint statement outlining the results of their discussions.

Cho will also meet with Joly to discuss practical cooperation based on the “South Korea-Canada Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Action Plan,” agreed upon last July. Discussions will likely include regional security and broader strategic collaboration.

South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented that Cho’s visit to the United States is anticipated to reaffirm the steadfast South Korea-U.S. alliance in light of the severe security challenges on the Korean Peninsula and to facilitate close consultations on key alliance issues, including the recent intensification of North Korea-Russia military cooperation. His meetings in Canada aim to lay the groundwork for institutionalizing security and defense industry partnerships with Canada, a vital ally.