Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Vice defense minister holds separate bilateral talks with US Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and US Under Secretary for DOD Acquisition & Sustainment

Two sides agree to launch regular vice-ministerial dialogue channel for science and technology

Agreement reached to continue consultations to conduct joint research and development on a game changer

Two sides agree to promote the signing of reciprocal defense procurement agreement

Vice Minister of National Defense Shin Beom-chul held separate meetings with United States (US) Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and Under Secretary for DOD Acquisition & Sustainment, at which the two sides discussed ROK-US cooperation in defense science and technology and ways to expand opportunities to participate in the mutual defense industry supply chain.

“On September 14 (local time), Vice Minister Shin Beom-chul, visiting Washington D.C. to discuss the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG), held separate bilateral talks with Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu and Under Secretary for DOD Acquisition & Sustainment William A. LaPlante, at the US Department of Defense,” the ministry reported in a statement released September 15.

This is the first time the two countries have held bilateral vice-ministerial talks since the US established an office for under secretary of defense for research and engineering to manage the development strategies for science and technology in 2018.

The ministry said in a statement that Shin and Shyu agreed to establish a channel for dialogue by expanding and developing the current cooperation channel, in order to discuss science and technology cooperation on a policy, strategy, and comprehensive level by holding regular vice-ministerial meetings between the ROK and the US, given the current trend of science and technology becoming the deciding factors in war, and in accomplishing national goals.

The two ministers shared the assessment of the new threat led by the development of technology, and to respond to it, agreed to continue consultations to conduct ROK-US joint research and development on a game changer by using unmanned, quantum, and high-tech radar technology.

Shin and LaPlante exchanged opinions on bilateral cooperation in the areas of arms industry and acquisition.

Regarding his expectations, Shin commented “I hope the ROK-US alliance can be further cemented by signing an agreement between the ROK and the US, and that mutual interests can be promoted by expanding defense cooperation with the US,” noting that the US has been pushing forward with defense cooperation by signing ‘reciprocal defense procurement agreements’ with 28 countries around the world.

In response, LaPlante said that “the US is working on signing a reciprocal defense procurement agreement with the ROK,” and expressed his hope that “ROK companies which hold excellent quality and advanced technologies will proactively take part in the US defense supply chain by completing the agreement successfully.”

“Since the inauguration of Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration, the ministry has developed the ROK-US alliance into a comprehensive one, including a technical alliance, and has been pushing forward with the strengthening of ROK-US defense science and technology cooperation on a policy and strategy level as a key national priority to ensure its contribution to nurturing strong forces backed by advanced science and technology,” a ministry spokesperson said. The spokesperson also explained the background and significance of these bilateral defense vice-ministerial talks, commenting that the two countries are “working on the signing of a reciprocal defense procurement agreement to develop both country's arms industries, and on strengthening the ROK-US security alliance by expanding participation in the ROK-US mutual supply chain.” “Such efforts will contribute to deterring North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats by strengthening the joint capabilities of the ROK-US alliance,” the official added.

 By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >

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