US, South Korea defense leaders meet to discuss security challenges

Asia-Pacific, News, US July 30, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-Sup at the Pentagon to discuss common threats and regional challenges.

During the meeting, the defense officials of both countries emphasized the importance of close cooperation and maintaining “fight tonight” readiness to reinforce deterrence in the face of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) destabilizing activities. U.S. defense secretary also reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to the U.S.-ROK Alliance and the defense of the ROK.

According to the Department of Defense statement, Secretary Austin and ROK Minister of National Defense Lee held discussions on a broad range of Alliance issues and exchanged views on the security environment on the Korean Peninsula as well as in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Both leaders agreed to focus on strengthening readiness and interoperability of Alliance combined forces. Secretary Austin emphasized that the United States stands firm, with the full range of U.S. capabilities, in its extended deterrence commitment to the ROK,” the statement added.

During the welcoming remarks, U.S. Defense Secretary Austin highlighted that “the U.S. commitment to the ROK is ironclad. And we stand together in the face of several key challenges. And foremost among them, is the threat posed by North Korea. The Kim regime is engaged in the most active period of missile tests in its history.”

“Our [U.S. and South Korea] alliance remains resolute and ready in the face of these dangerous and destabilizing actions. As the recent joint statement from both of our presidents noted. So President Biden affirms the U.S. extended deterrence to commitment to the ROK the using the full range of defense capabilities, including nuclear, conventional, and missile defense capabilities,” Austin added.

*^{Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosts South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup for talks at the Pentagon, July 29, 2022. (Image Credit: DOD/Lisa Ferdinando)}*

U.S. defense secretary and ROK minister also agreed on the importance of cooperating trilaterally with Japan and enhancing regional cooperation that protects shared security and prosperity, upholds common values, and bolsters the rules-based international order.

A day earlier, South Korean minister also visited visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial’s Wall of Remembrance. The wall contains both the names of Americans killed during the Korean War as well as the thousands of South Korean soldiers who served as augmentees for U.S. Army units during the conflict.

U.S. Defense Secretary Austin stated that the wall of remembrance honors those “who fought shoulder-to-shoulder together and made the ultimate sacrifice to forge a better future for both our countries. We hope to honor their service and sacrifice today by further strengthening our alliance.”