Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong and U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation

Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo also met with Bolton; agreed on 
“complete denuclearization and establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula…”  

Regarding the intrusion into the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) by a Russian military aircraft, Republic of Korea and the U.S. agreed to continue close consultations if any similar situation takes place in the future. 

On July 24, National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong and his U.S. counterpart, White House National Security Adviser John Bolton, discussed key issues on the Korean Peninsula and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation from a regional and global perspective.  

According to Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Ko Min-jung, Chung explained to Bolton that Republic of Korea took stern countermeasures after Chinese and Russian military aircraft violated the KADIZ. 

“The two sides reached a consensus on the need for international efforts to guarantee the safe navigation of private merchant ships. On this point, they agreed to continue consultations on cooperative measures for maritime security and freedom of navigation, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz. As for the issue of defense-cost sharing between Republic of Korea and the U.S. after 2020, the two sides decided to pursue consultations, based on the spirit of the alliance, in the most reasonable and fair way,” Ko said in a statement.  

“The two sides shared the view that it was important to promptly resume the North Korea-U.S. working-level talks, which was agreed at the meeting between the leaders of North Korea and the U.S. at Panmunjom on June 30, and agreed to closely cooperate to make practical progress in negotiations on North Korean denuclearization. They also reaffirmed that the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance is a mutually reciprocal and comprehensive alliance based on common values, and is the linchpin not only of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, but also in the entire region. They decided to further strengthen the bilateral alliance from a regional and global perspective,” Ko added. 

Chung and Bolton met twice on Wednesday; they had talks at the main office of Cheong Wa Dae from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM and held a working luncheon at a hotel in downtown Seoul in the afternoon.

Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo also met with Adviser Bolton to discuss key pending issues, including cooperative measures between the two countries to achieve complete denuclearization and the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula. Evaluating that the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance has contributed to the dynamic changes to the security situation of the Korean Peninsula, Jeong and Bolton shared the view that it was critical to continue to work in close cooperation to achieve the bilateral goal; complete denuclearization, and the establishment of a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Jeong and Bolton also discussed relations between Republic of Korea and Japan. “The two sides agreed that the Republic of Korea-Japan security cooperation must be maintained. They agreed that they will work together closely to advance Republic of Korea-Japan and Republic of Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation,” the ministry said. 

Before the meeting with Jeong, Bolton wrote, “My best wishes to all the brave Korean patriots who defend their country,” in a guestbook at the ministry.

Speaking to some reporters after the meeting, Bolton replied, “We had very productive discussions across a wide range of issues.” The meeting was joined by U.S. Forces Korea Commander Robert Abrams and U.S. Ambassador to Republic of Korea Harry Harris.

By Su-Yeol, Maeng < guns13@dema.mil.kr >

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