The defense chiefs of South Korea and the U.S. held a crucial phone call seventeen days after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a state of emergency. The U.S. Secretary of Defense, who had previously canceled his trip to South Korea, has now reaffirmed America’s defense commitment to South Korea ahead of the change-of-command ceremony for the Combined Forces Command.
On Friday, the Ministry of National Defense announced that Acting Minister Kim Seon Ho held a coordination call with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin that morning.
The two leaders assessed the current security situation on the Korean Peninsula and discussed key issues, including North Korea policy coordination, the South Korea-U.S. alliance, and improvements to combined defense readiness.
They reaffirmed that the South Korea-U.S. alliance is the cornerstone for peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia. Both sides emphasized that the alliance remains robust, regardless of changes in the security environment or domestic political situations.
Kim expressed gratitude for the U.S. government’s continued support for the steadfast South Korea-U.S. alliance despite ongoing domestic circumstances.
He stressed that South Korean forces are maintaining a solid military readiness against North Korea, based on the strong alliance and combined defense posture with the U.S. Kim added that they are effectively managing the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.
Austin reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to South Korea’s security and pledged to continue working closely together to maintain a robust alliance.
The Ministry reported that both leaders agreed to maintain a full combined defense posture, ensure an immediate response to any North Korean provocations, and coordinate closely between the two nations.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan. Additionally, they agreed to enhance extended deterrence cooperation through the South Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG).
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