Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

On June 14, Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo and U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis held talks via telephone to share the results of the North Korea-U.S. Summit that took place in Singapore and from the plenary session of Republic of Korean government’s National Security Council (NSC), and to discuss measures for cooperation between the two ministries.

“The two ministers agreed to continuously strengthen their efforts to provide defense support, based on the solid Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance, for the expeditious implementation of the agreement reached in the North Korea-U.S. summit,” the Ministry of National Defense said in its statement on June 15.

“The ministers exchanged views in detail over the entirety of the Republic of Korea-U.S. combined training exercises, including the upcoming Ulchi-Freedom Guardian (UFG),” the ministry spokesperson added.

During the talks, Minister Song noted the need for flexible change with the aim of relieving hostile relations in relation to military pressure on North Korea, given the mutual confidence building agreed upon in the Panmunjeom Declaration; provided that North Korea puts its denuclearization measures into practice with integrity and that sincere talks continue between the two Koreas and between North Korea and the US. He also reiterated President Moon Jae-in’s statement that he will look at the Republic of Korea-U.S. combined training exercises with prudence.

The ministry said that the two ministers decided to maintain their close cooperation and discuss the issue in face-to-face talks as soon as possible.

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