South Korean Overseas Minister Cho Tae-yul, proper, shakes palms with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the Ministry of Overseas Affairs in Jongno District, Seoul, March 18. Korea Instances file
The next is the total textual content of a joint assertion issued by South Korean Overseas Minister Cho Tae-yul, Protection Minister Kim Yong-hyun, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Protection Lloyd Austin after their “two plus two” overseas and protection ministerial assembly in Washington, D.C., on Thursday (native time).
The 2 sides reaffirmed the shared imaginative and prescient, frequent values, and unwavering dedication to their mixed protection posture and the Mutual Protection Treaty (MDT) because the bedrock of our safety partnership. They famous the U.S.-ROK Alliance serves because the linchpin of peace, safety, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and all through the Indo-Pacific area. Either side affirmed that our unwavering resolve is our biggest deterrent and pledged to coordinate carefully collectively within the occasion of any provocations. The current conclusion of consultations on the Particular Measures Settlement serves as a tangible image of our shared dedication to the Alliance, enhances our mixed protection posture, and helps the continued presence of U.S. forces stationed on the Korean Peninsula.
The Secretaries and Ministers additionally acknowledged the U.S.-ROK Alliance has advanced into a world complete strategic alliance, constructed on respect, belief, shut friendship, robust people-to-people connections, and the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of legislation. They dedicated to additional advancing mutually reinforcing and forward-looking cooperation throughout a broad spectrum of areas, together with local weather change, well being safety, nonproliferation, and provide chain diversification.
The US reaffirmed its dedication to the protection of the ROK. The Secretaries and Ministers additional pledged to boost the Alliance’s deterrence posture and emphasised the significance of sustaining joint readiness in opposition to shared regional and world threats by mixed coaching and workouts. The Secretaries and Ministers famous that U.S. forces within the ROK proceed to play a crucial function in sustaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and within the area, and dedicated to make sure that we now have the pressure posture and capabilities mandatory to satisfy our frequent challenges.
The Secretaries and Ministers additionally highlighted deepening U.S.-ROK safety cooperation to boost interoperability and strengthen prolonged deterrence by the continued implementation of commitments outlined within the U.S.-ROK Washington Declaration, introduced by Presidents Biden and Yoon in April 2023. Either side reiterated that the ironclad U.S. prolonged deterrence dedication to the ROK is backed by the total vary of U.S. capabilities, together with nuclear. They reaffirmed that any nuclear assault by the Democratic Individuals’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in opposition to the ROK can be met with a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response. The US additionally reiterated that any nuclear assault by the DPRK in opposition to the USA or its allies is unacceptable and can end result ultimately of that regime, in step with the 2022 U.S. Nuclear Posture Assessment.
Either side welcomed the achievements of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), an everlasting bilateral discussion board that has continued work to strengthen prolonged deterrence, focus on nuclear and strategic planning, and handle the risk the DPRK poses to the worldwide nonproliferation regime. They applauded the profitable completion of the “U.S.-ROK Pointers for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula,” which represents the large progress of the NCG, as recommended and endorsed by President Biden and President Yoon. The Pointers present the rules and procedures for the Alliance to take care of and strengthen credible and efficient nuclear deterrence as equal companions, with additional progress deliberate for the following principal-level NCG assembly later this yr. Either side pledged to deepen consultations and strategic planning, additional improve the common visibility of U.S. strategic property to the Korean Peninsula, and increase table-top workouts and simulations to make sure an efficient response to any modifications within the risk surroundings.
Either side additionally affirmed the necessity for the Prolonged Deterrence Technique and Session Group (EDSCG) to debate and coordinate on safety technique and coverage points affecting the Korean Peninsula and the broader Indo-Pacific area – together with by leveraging all parts of nationwide energy. The Secretaries and Ministers dedicated to collaborate in opposition to dangerous disinformation about prolonged deterrence on the Korean Peninsula. The ROK expressed its help for U.S. efforts to interact the Individuals’s Republic of China and Russia on decreasing nuclear dangers.
Either side reaffirmed their longstanding dedication to their obligations underneath the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) because the cornerstone of the worldwide nonproliferation regime, in addition to their persevering with dedication to the entire denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, in line with United Nations Safety Council (UNSC) resolutions.
From left to proper, South Korean Protection Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Overseas Minister Cho Tae-yul, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin attend a press convention on the State Division in Washington, D.C., Oct. 31. Yonhap
The Secretaries and Ministers strongly condemned the DPRK’s harmful and provocative conduct, together with its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) check on October 31 (native time) and continued pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile packages in violation of a number of UNSC resolutions. The ICBM check solely demonstrates the DPRK continues to prioritize its illegal weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile packages over the well-being of its individuals, and we name on the DPRK to stop its destabilizing actions. The 2 sides dedicated to additional improve coordination, together with by the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Staff (MSMT), to deal with violations and evasions of U.N. sanctions by the DPRK, together with violations of the arms embargo and different associated army cooperation, dispatch of abroad laborers, malicious cyber actions, oil smuggling, and the commerce of prohibited gadgets, together with by ship-to-ship transfers. Either side reiterated that the DPRK’s human rights violations and abuses had been inextricably linked with its illegal WMD and ballistic missile developments, and dedicated to additional strengthening cooperation to advertise human rights within the DPRK. The US expressed its help for the targets of the Audacious Initiative and President Yoon’s imaginative and prescient of a free, peaceable, and affluent Korean Peninsula, and reiterated its help for a peacefully unified Korean Peninsula that’s free and at peace. Either side reaffirmed that they continue to be open to dialogue with the DPRK with out preconditions.
The Secretaries and Ministers condemned within the strongest phrases deepening army cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, together with continued illegal arms transfers and the deployment of DPRK troops to Russia. They made clear that this army cooperation between Russia and the DPRK constitutes not solely a violation of a number of UNSC resolutions but additionally prolongs the struggling of the Ukrainian individuals and threatens stability in each the Indo-Pacific and Europe. Either side additional recognized measures to deal with the challenges posed by elevated DPRK-Russia safety cooperation, resolved to carefully monitor and additional expose Russian help to the DPRK, and urged Russia and the DPRK to abide by worldwide legislation, together with the related UNSC resolutions. Either side dedicated to implement the present autonomous sanctions regime and actively pursue mandatory measures along with the worldwide group to discourage additional illegal, reckless, and destabilizing conduct.
The Secretaries and Ministers additionally strongly condemned Russia’s brutal, unprovoked, and unjustifiable struggle in opposition to Ukraine. They acknowledged that Russia’s violation of the U.N. Constitution and its makes an attempt to unilaterally change borders by pressure by its ongoing aggression current a transparent problem to the worldwide order, with world impacts together with on the Indo-Pacific. Either side condemned Russia’s coercive nuclear threats and its assaults in opposition to crucial infrastructure, they usually reiterated the necessity for Russia to be held accountable for its actions.
The Secretaries and Ministers additionally acknowledged the deepening interconnectedness between the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic and mentioned the implications for diplomatic and protection cooperation within the face of a posh safety surroundings. The 2 sides acknowledged the significance of the ROK deepening its partnerships with NATO and different Indo-Pacific companions, and resolved to advance safety, peace, and prosperity in each areas.
Either side expressed their robust opposition to any unilateral makes an attempt to alter the established order within the waters of the Indo-Pacific. They acknowledged the significance of opposing illegal maritime claims within the South China Sea. The US and the ROK underscored the significance of maritime security and safety, upholding worldwide legislation as mirrored within the United Nations Conference on the Legislation of the Sea (UNCLOS), together with freedom of navigation and overflight and different lawful makes use of of the ocean, and peaceable decision of disputes as important for regional stability and prosperity.
Either side emphasised the significance of sustaining peace and stability throughout the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable ingredient of safety and prosperity for the worldwide group. They expressed concern over provocative actions, notably the current army drills round Taiwan that escalate stress and concurred that no additional actions must be taken that might undermine peace and stability throughout the Taiwan Strait. There stays no change in our primary positions on Taiwan, together with the peaceable decision of cross-Strait points.
The 2 nations are united of their help of ASEAN centrality and different regional efforts. Either side acknowledged the contributions of ongoing bilateral and multilateral dialogues to increase regional coordination with Pacific Island nations and within the Mekong sub-region that purpose to boost connectivity, financial growth, and environmental sustainability. The US and ROK reaffirmed their dedication to ASEAN-led mechanisms such because the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Discussion board, and the ASEAN Protection Ministers’ Assembly Plus, emphasizing the significance of those platforms in selling peace, stability, and safety within the area. Moreover, either side highlighted their collaborative efforts in addressing transnational challenges, together with maritime safety, cyber threats such because the DPRK’s cryptocurrency heists, and local weather change by ASEAN and different regional frameworks.
The Secretaries and Ministers emphasised the crucial significance of deepening trilateral cooperation with Japan to take care of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and all through the area and to deal with frequent challenges such because the DPRK’s growing nuclear and missile threats. Trilateral cooperation is furthered by the management commitments on the Trilateral Leaders’ Summit at Camp David in 2023 and respective trilateral overseas and protection ministerial-level conferences this yr. Either side pledged to proceed prioritizing mutually useful, forward-looking cooperation to advertise peace, safety, and prosperity within the area.
South Korean Overseas Minister Cho Tae-yul briefs a results of 2024 S. Korea-US Overseas and Protection Ministerial Assembly in Washington, D.C., Nov. 1. Yonhap
The US acknowledged the ROK as a International Pivotal State dedicated to addressing world challenges, noting its 2024-2025 non-permanent membership in the us. The US and the ROK reaffirmed their dedication to working carefully inside the U.N. framework to deal with urgent world points equivalent to nuclear non-proliferation, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and local weather change. The 2 sides additionally mentioned methods to strengthen multilateralism and enhance the effectiveness of the UN in responding to rising threats and crises. Either side additionally acknowledged the necessary function of the United Nations Command (UNC) in managing, implementing, and imposing the phrases of the Korean Armistice Settlement, deterring DPRK aggression, and coordinating multinational united responses in case of contingencies on the Korean Peninsula. In addition they affirmed that the UNC has efficiently contributed to these goals for over 70 years and can proceed to hold out its mission with the utmost respect for the sovereignty of the ROK, the first host nation of the UNC.
Either side affirmed that worldwide legislation applies in our on-line world and {that a} cyberattack might — in sure circumstances — represent an armed assault for the needs of Article III of the MDT. The Secretaries and Ministers additionally affirmed that assaults to, from, or inside house current a transparent problem to the safety of the Alliance, and such assaults – in sure circumstances – might result in the invocation of Article III of the MDT. Either side affirmed {that a} choice as to when assaults in both area would result in an invocation of Article III could be made on a case-by-case foundation, and thru shut consultations between the USA and the ROK, as could be the case for another risk. They emphasised the significance of enhancing interoperability and data sharing for house and cyber area consciousness and concurred on the necessity to strengthen joint response capabilities in opposition to growing house and cyber threats.
The 2 sides additionally pledged to proceed increasing cooperative measures to boost compatibility between the U.S. and ROK protection industrial bases. The Secretaries and Ministers highlighted their shared view that the Regional Sustainment Framework, just lately introduced by the U.S. Division of Protection, would strengthen Alliance upkeep capabilities and enhance readiness regeneration capability. They mentioned current measures to cooperate on Upkeep, Restore, and Overhaul (MRO) initiatives and welcomed the U.S. Navy certifying ROK shipyards to conduct MRO companies on U.S. ships. As well as, either side acknowledged the necessity to enhance reciprocal market entry to deepen protection cooperation and improve provide chain resiliency. Either side are dedicated to speed up cooperation with the purpose of signing the Reciprocal Protection Procurement Settlement subsequent yr primarily based on steering from each Presidents.
The 2 sides acknowledged the contribution of the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) partnership in sustaining peace and stability within the Indo-Pacific. Either side famous ongoing consultations for potential collaboration on superior functionality initiatives underneath AUKUS Pillar II.
The Secretaries and Ministers famous that since either side established the essential rules of the transition of wartime Operational Management (OPCON) in 2006, the ROK and United States have achieved nice progress by their mixed efforts and reiterated their agency dedication to wartime OPCON transition in line with the Circumstances-Primarily based OPCON Transition Plan. Constructing on this progress, the Secretaries and Ministers pledged to proceed efforts towards the systematic and secure transition of wartime OPCON.
The Secretaries and Ministers emphasised the USA and the ROK are united by shared values and a typical function. Either side reiterated their dedication to additional advancing and deepening U.S.-ROK cooperation.
Either side additionally acknowledged the significance of the Joint Overseas and Protection Ministerial as an necessary bilateral discussion board to additional improve the Alliance, and dedicated to holding the Ministerial Assembly commonly. (Yonhap)
