Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Republic of Korea and U.S. defense chiefs hold talks in Washington

The two defense chiefs affirmed that the alliance between the two countries is iron-clad and ready to face the security environment;

agreed on the maintenance of an unwavering combined readiness posture;

shared positive outlook on the ‘Dong Maeng’ exercise, which replaced the Key Resolve (KR) exercise;  reaffirmed that the U.S. will continue support after the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON)  

The defense chiefs of Republic of Korea and the U.S. have reaffirmed the strong alliance between the two countries and their commitment to working in close cooperation for the denuclearization and establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

On April 1st(local time), Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo and acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan held talks at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.

During their talks, Jeong and Shanahan discussed efforts to support denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula and pending issues related to the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance that have emerged since the 2nd North Korea-U.S. summit. They shared the view that the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance is ironclad and ready to face an evolving security environment, and underscored their will to cooperate closely to further reinforce the alliance through the synchronized efforts of their military authorities.

In particular, the Minister and the Secretary reaffirmed the ongoing efforts to back up diplomacy with North Korea with military power to ensure complete denuclearization and the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula, and reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to maintaining an unwavering combined readiness posture.

The two defense chiefs also agreed to reinforce cooperation in a range of fields, including sharing information on North Korea such as North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities, while expressing satisfaction with the close communication being achieved between the Republic of Korean and U.S. military authorities. They also positively reviewed the recently finished successful “Dong Maeng” exercise, which replaced the Key Resolve (KR) exercise.

“The new “Dong Maeng” exercise was very helpful to prepare for the verification of initial operational capability (IOC) in order to maintain a firm combined defense posture and wartime operational control (OPCON) transfer. It is significant as an exemplary case of military support for the Republic of Korean and U.S. government’s diplomatic efforts for the complete denuclearization of North Korea and the establishment of a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula,” Minister Jeong said in his opening statement, stressing that the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance and the allies’ combined defense posture will become more secure through the combined exercise, as a historic symbol of the spirit of the powerful Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance.

Acting Secretary Shanahan downplayed concerns that the downsizing of the Republic of Korea-U.S combined exercises might weaken the military readiness posture. “There was no reduction, but rather a buildup of capabilities. We want to make sure that there are no gaps, and that we continue to build on these exercises,” he said. “Discussions (with Minister Jeong) will continue both on lessons learned from the March exercises and those scheduled for September.

Gen. Robert Abrams, the commander of Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, gave the defense chiefs an evaluation of the “Dong Meang” exercises that were conducted last March, saying that the coordinated combined exercises have strengthened the allies’ combined defense readiness and military readiness, and contributed to the Command’s groundwork for the OPCON transfer.

The two defense chiefs also agreed to cooperate in implementing IOC verification of a Republic of Korea-led combined defense posture later this year. “Republic of Korea’s Ministry of National Defense is promoting “condition-based” transfer of OPCON in a systematic and active manner. In particular, the ministry is concentrating all of its efforts on “responsible defense” to enable Korean troops to be equipped with key military capabilities for leading the future Republic of Korea-U.S. combined defense posture, including an 8.2% increase in the defense budget compared to 2018,” Minister Jeong said.

“Recently, Joint Chiefs of　Staff (JCS) Chairman Park Han-ki and Commander Gen. Robert Abrams have been giving a joint evaluation of Republic of Korean troops’ key military capabilities, the first condition of OPCON transfer, by holding a Special Permanent Military Committee (sPMC) every month,” he added.

Acting Secretary Shanahan reaffirmed the U.S. military's commitment to continue to support the defense of the Republic of Korea even after the transfer of OPCON. He also expressed the hope that Republic of Korea’s Defense Reform 2.0 would contribute to the improvement of comprehensive alliance capabilities, OPCON transfer and establishment of the future Republic of Korea-led combined forces command.

Regarding a Republic of Korea-U.S. summit slated for April 11, Minister Jeong said “I hope that the summit talks will help us to arrive at measures to resume the North Korea-U.S. dialogue for the complete denuclearization and establishment of peace in North Korea. Republic of Korea and U.S. military authorities hope to more closely cooperate as ‘one team’ to militarily back up diplomatic efforts, as we are doing already.” 

By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr >
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