Pentagon Hosts S. Korea-U.S. Meeting to Set Strategy on N. Korea’s Actions

South Korea and the U.S. Defense Leaders are scheduled to meet to discuss strategies regarding North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia. The joint statement that follows their discussions is anticipated to outline the South Korean response to North Korea’s actions.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, the 56th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), a cornerstone of military cooperation between the two allies, will take place at the Pentagon on Wednesday. This annual meeting is crucial for military policy consultation and coordination between the allied nations. During this meeting, the defense ministers will receive final reports on military policies discussed in working-level forums, such as the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) and the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) will address current issues.

This year’s meeting in the U.S. will feature South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hwan and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. This will mark Minister Kim’s first in-person meeting with Secretary Austin since he took office last month.

The 6th South Korea-U.S. Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting, also known as the 2-2 talks, will take place Thursday in Washington, D.C, marking the first meeting in three years. The agenda is expected to cover North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia and other provocative actions.