Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Defense ministers of ROK and US discuss in phone call

In the evening of May 18, 2022, Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup held his first phone talks with his United States (US) counterpart Lloyd J. Austin Ⅲ after taking office, during which the two ministers reaffirmed the firm alliance between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the US.

The two ministers agreed that close cooperation between the ROK and the US is a more significant priority than ever before, sharing the assessment that the situation inside and outside of the region, including the Korean Peninsula, is grave.

During the phone talks, Austin reaffirmed the US’s airtight security commitment to the defense of the ROK.

Congratulating Lee on his inauguration, Austin expressed his wish to actively cooperate to expand the ROK-US alliance into a comprehensive strategic alliance.