On Friday morning, the day North Korea publicly revealed its uranium enrichment facility, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun held his first cooperative phone call with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin since taking office. The two ministers assessed North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile capabilities and reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
According to the South Korean Ministry of Defense, the ministers acknowledged the achievements made by both governments to strengthen the U.S.-South Korea alliance. They agreed that the alliance is evolving into a global comprehensive strategic partnership, deepening and expanding its level and scope of cooperation.
Kim shared the evaluations of the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea’s enhanced nuclear and missile capabilities and the strengthening of illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. He emphasized maintaining a robust combined defense posture to deter and respond to North Korean threats.
The Ministry of Defense noted that Kim reaffirmed his commitment to continuously strengthening U.S.-South Korea joint exercises and training, ensuring North Korea will think twice before attempting any provocations in light of the alliance’s overwhelming capabilities and readiness.
Minister Kim also underscored the significance of the Washington Declaration, which transformed the alliance from a conventional partnership into a nuclear-based alliance, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and reliability of extended deterrence. The two ministers agreed to collaborate closely through the U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) to develop these efforts further.
Austin reiterated the United States’ unwavering commitment to South Korea’s defense and pledged to work closely with South Korea to strengthen deterrence against North Korea.
Both ministers praised the unprecedented level of U.S.-South Korea-Japan security cooperation since the Camp David summit. They agreed to continue enhancing trilateral security cooperation to deter and respond to North Korea’s advanced nuclear and missile threats.
Furthermore, they reaffirmed that the U.S.-South Korea alliance is a cornerstone for regional peace and prosperity and committed to strengthening solidarity and cooperation with like-minded nations based on their alliance.
They also acknowledged that close cooperation between the defense ministers is a key element in strengthening the U.S.-South Korea alliance and committed to holding regular meetings and maintaining communication.
