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Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun visits Armed Forces Capital Hospital

Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun visited the Armed Forces Capital Hospital on the morning of September 16 (Monday) and encouraged the military medical staff who were maintaining emergency treatment readiness and hospitalized soldiers during the consecutive Chuseok holidays.

 

Minister Kim held a teleconference with the heads of military hospitals under the Armed Forces Medical Command and visited the emergency room of the Armed Forces Capital Hospital.

 

In the teleconference, Minister Kim urged to take immediate and advanced measures within the golden hour in the case of emergency patients, and requested the medical situation center and emergency rooms of each hospital to maintain a 24-hour emergency treatment system even during the consecutive holidays.

 

He also appreciated the dedication of military surgeons dispatched to private medical institutions and ordered the efficient operation of personnel so that military medical officers are not affected by accumulated fatigue and pay close attention to their welfare and morale.

 

He visited the emergency room and encouraged the military medical staff, saying, “I appreciate your efforts to maintain a 24-hour emergency treatment system so that soldiers and other people can be safe during the consecutive holidays.”

 

He also encouraged the medical staff who provide medical services to a number of civilian patients in an emergency treatment system, saying, “I am proud of you who are dedicated to the mission of the Armed Forces to protect people’s lives and property. I hope you will grow into a top military medical institution that inspires confidence in people.”

 

Minister Kim wished the hospitalized soldiers a full recovery, and said, “We will ensure that your dedication and sacrifice for the defense of the Republic of Korea are fully rewarded and respected.”

 

The military maintained emergency rescue and medical support readiness during the government’s special transportation measure for the Chuseok holiday from September 13 to 18.

 

From September 13 to 16, the military supported 41 cases of civilian emergency rescue and emergency treatment, such as hemoperitoneum emergency surgery, liver injury and fracture treatment, and hospitalization so that people could have a safe and happy Chuseok holiday.

 

In case of emergencies during the holiday, 12 military hospitals nationwide provided round-the-clock emergency services to the public, and 3,200 military medical and rescue personnel maintained fast support readiness.

 

 

The 25th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) meeting to be held

 

The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea and the Department of Defense of the United States will hold the 25th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) in Seoul from September 23 to 24, 2024.

 

Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy (DEPMIN) Cho Chang-rae led the Korean delegation and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for East Asia Anka Lee led the U.S. delegation. Key senior Korean and U.S. defense and foreign affairs officials also participated in the dialogue.

 

The 25th meeting will discuss all outstanding issues of the ROK/IU.S. Alliance, including policy coordination to achieve the complete denuclearization of North Korea and to deter and respond to the North's nuclear and missile threats, enhancing combined defense readiness, and implementing a conditions-based transition of wartime operational control (OPCON).

 

The two sides will also review progress on key defense tasks for this year and discuss follow-up measures at the KIDD meeting, which is a preparatory meeting ahead of the 56th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) scheduled for later this year.

 

In particular, based on the “Defense Vision of the U.S.-ROK Alliance” agreed at the 55th SCM last year, the KIDD meeting will hold close consultations on issues related to strengthening extended deterrence efforts against North Korea, modernizing the alliance's capabilities by evolving into a science and technology alliance, and strengthening solidarity and regional security with like-minded partners.

 

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  • (Presentation and Follow-on discussion)