Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Fourth vice ministers’ talks of defense strategies, hosted by the Ministry of National Defense
Conclusion of a defense cooperation agreement…laid institutional groundwork

Defense authorities of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Russia discussed ways to invigorate bilateral defense exchange cooperation, as well as the regional security situation including the Korean Peninsula

A ministry spokesperson announced that Vice Minister Park Jae-min and his Russian counterpart Alexander Fomin had held the 4th ROK-Russia vice ministers’ talks on defense strategies at the main building of the ministry in Yongsan, Seoul, on March 29. As a regular meeting of vice ministers, the ROK-Russia defense strategies talks have been held every year since 2012, with the exception of the 2020 talks, which were postponed due to the emergence of COVID-19.

After expressing concern over North Korea’s recent launch of short-range missiles, despite our government’s efforts for denuclearization and the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula, Park asked Russia to “actively support and cooperate to support progress toward complete denuclearization and the establishment of a permanent peace on the peninsula.”

“We support the ROK government’s efforts for the peace process on the Korean Peninsula,” Fomin responded, stressing “Russia will continue its diplomatic efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

Expressing deep concern about the situation in Myanmar, Park also explained to Fomin that the Korean government condemns the violent suppression by Myanmar's military and police of the Myanmar people’s protests, stating that Korea joins the international community in urging the immediate suspension of the violence.

Meanwhile, the bilateral defense cooperation agreement concluded in these talks laid the institutional groundwork for defense exchange cooperation. The two ministers also agreed to continue to strive to strengthen practical cooperation, including through holding a regular meeting for strategic communication between the defense authorities and pushing for the interchange of high-level personnel.

By Chae-Mu, Im <lims86@dema.mil.kr >

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