Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

National Defense Minister stresses the development of the ROK-US alliance in a mutually complementary and forward-looking way

Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo made a speech at the US National Defense University:

The security situation on the Korean Peninsula has shifted in a dynamic wayThe two governments have been closely cooperating with each other in preparation for omnidirectional security threats
Minister asked the US to support the ROK’s efforts for the denuclearization of North Korea

On February 26(Washington time), Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo, who had been in the US to engage in national defense diplomacy, stressed that in terms of national defense cooperation, the alliance between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States (US) has been evolving in a mutually complementary and forward-looking way.

“The ROK-US alliance always remains strong whenever it is needed,” Jeong remarked, in a speech with the theme “development of the ROK-US alliance and the establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula,” which he gave at the US National Defense University in Washington on Wednesday. Citing the principles for regional cooperation that were agreed upon in November last year, including “openness,” “acceptability” and “transparency,” he said that the ROK has been seeking a variety of measures to push forward with harmonious cooperation in keeping with such principles.

Citing the success of the film “Parasite,” which won four Academy Awards, as well as K-pop stars BTS earning a No. 1 on the Billboard album chart, Jeong said “The firm ROK-US alliance has brought about all those things, and I am convinced that the ROK-US alliance will continue to serve as a great asset to the ROK.”

Stressing that both traditional and non-traditional security threats, such as terror, cyber threats, diseases, and disasters, are diversifying and advancing at a very rapid pace, Jeong explained that the security situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula is shifting in a more dynamic way than anywhere else in the world. “Given the security circumstances, the ROK and US governments are cooperating more closely than ever before, in preparation for omnidirectional security threats,” he added.

Jeong explained that based on the “spirit of the ROK-US alliance,” ROK and the US are consulting closely with each other when dealing with the main security issues, including ▲ complete denuclearization of North Korea and the establishment of a lasting peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, ▲ transfer of the wartime operational control, ▲ negotiation of the Special Measures Agreement (SMA), and ▲ relationships with other countries surrounding the peninsula. Responding to each issue to clarify the key points, he cleared up misunderstandings by giving fact-based explanations against some arguments concerning the idea that the ROK-US alliance has been weakened, and the combined readiness posture. Jeong reiterated that the unwavering principle in resolving the alliance-related pending issues between ROK and the US is to “further strengthen and develop the ROK-US alliance.”

Jeong asked the participants to continue to provide support for the ROK government’s efforts for the denuclearization of North Korea and the establishment of a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, stressing that the ROK-US alliance is even stronger than before, as it has been consolidated since undergoing the Korean War together. In a question and answer session following his speech, he provided explicit answers to a variety of questions, including ROK-US cooperation on international security, measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), and measures to respond to “fake news.

”Ahead of his speech, Jeong met with Fritz Roegge, president of the National Defense University. At the meeting, they shared their opinions on the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and ways to develop the ROK-US alliance. Stressing that the ROK-US alliance serves as a linchpin of peace and security both on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia, Jeong said that the establishment of a lasting peace on the peninsula can be achieved through a firm ROK-US alliance that serves as a reliable support. “The US National Defense University has provided wholehearted support for the ROK-US alliance,” Roegge replied. He also pledged to actively support the defense ministries of the two countries which are backing up the two countries’ diplomatic efforts for complete denuclearization and the establishment of a lasting peace on the peninsula.

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