Asia Pacific
16:26, 03-Jun-2019
Defense chiefs of ROK, U.S. hold talks on Korean Peninsula security
Updated
21:47, 03-Jun-2019
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The defense chiefs of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States held talks in Seoul on Monday regarding the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, according to the ROK's defense ministry.
ROK Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan shared their assessment of the situation, the ministry said, confirming their commitment to support bilateral diplomatic efforts for complete denuclearization of the peninsula and a peace settlement
Jeong and Shanahan agreed to strengthen close consultation and cooperation in various areas, including the sharing of information on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) nuclear and missile activities.
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) appears with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un during the second U.S.-DPRK summit at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi, February 28, 2019. /VCG Photo
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) appears with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un during the second U.S.-DPRK summit at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi, February 28, 2019. /VCG Photo
The defense chiefs expressed worry about the DPRK's recent launch of short-range missiles, which came after the second summit between DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump ended with no agreement late in February in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi.
On May 9, the DPRK launched two unidentified projectiles, which the ROK saw as short-range missiles, from an area in the northwestern region. It came five days after Pyongyang fired several short-range projectiles into the sea off its east coast.
Meanwhile, Jeong and Shanahan assessed that the first-half Dong Maeng Exercise militarily supported diplomatic efforts for the denuclearization and contributed to the firm defense posture of the allies.
Members of the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) team take part in an anti-terror drill in Seoul, August 19, 2015. /VCG Photo
Members of the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) team take part in an anti-terror drill in Seoul, August 19, 2015. /VCG Photo
The two defense ministers agreed to end the summertime Ulchi Freedom Guardian war game of the allies, promising to strengthen communication and cooperation in drawing up the new second-half joint military drills.
The DPRK has denounced the ROK-U.S. annual military exercises as a dress rehearsal for a northward invasion. Seoul and Washington pushed to scale down and shorten their joint military exercise to support the ongoing peace process on the peninsula.
Regarding the transfer of the wartime operational control of ROK troops from Washington to Seoul, Jeong and Shanahan paid attention to the strides that have been made to meet the requirements, expressing anticipation for the verification result of Seoul's initial operational capability.
The Pentagon chief arrived in Seoul on Sunday for a two-day visit after visiting Singapore to attend a regional security forum.
On the sidelines of the forum, Jeong and Shanahan held trilateral talks with Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya on the peninsula security situation.
(Cover: Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan shakes hands with ROK Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo before their meeting at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul, June 3, 2019. /Reuters Photo)
(With input from Xinhua)