Page 88 - 2020 Defence White Paper

Agreement (CMA) set conditions for the easing of military tensions and reducing the threat of war on the
Peninsula. The two leaders concurred that the cessation of hostilities on the ground, and in the sea and
air, through the inter-Korean implementation of the CMA, and continued United Nations Command (UNC)
enforcement and management of the Armistice Agreement, maintained stability and significantly reduced
the possibility of accidental clashes. The Minister reaffirmed the ROK’s commitment to ensure that the
implementation of the CMA contributes to the establishment of peace on the peninsula. The Minister also
expressed his expectation that the buffer zone, agreed to through the CMA, would contribute to
preventing accidental clashes and supporting military confidence-building measures on the Korean
Peninsula. He expressed that the CMA implementation efforts should continue, including: the withdrawal
of guard posts in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and the establishment and functioning of the inter-
Korean joint military committee. Both sides decided to continue to seek means of enhancing our security
dialogues to better meet today.’s security environment.

5. The Secretary and the Minister reaffirmed the role of the United Nations Command (UNC) in
maintaining and enforcing the Armistice Agreement. Both leaders affirmed that the UNC has contributed
to the successful maintenance of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula for 67 years and continues
to carry out its mission and tasks with the utmost respect for ROK sovereignty. The Minister additionally
noted that the Northern Limit Line (NLL) has been an effective means of separating ROK and DPRK
military forces and preventing military tension to date. The Secretary acknowledged that military
confidence-building measures are important for establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula, and he
noted the important role performed by the UNC in implementing the Armistice Agreement and enabling
confidence-building measures on the Korean Peninsula. The Minister affirmed his support for the roles
and responsibilities assigned to the UNC in accordance with the Armistice Agreement and the relevant
United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

6. The Secretary and the Minister assessed that the US–ROK Alliance is strong and reaffirmed the two
nations’ mutual commitment to a combined defense as agreed in the US–ROK Mutual Defense Treaty to
defend the ROK. The Secretary and the Minister noted that US forces in the ROK have played a critical
role in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula for more than 67 years, and reaffirmed
that US Forces Korea (USFK) are to continue to play an important role in preventing armed conflict on
the Korean Peninsula, and in promoting peace and stability in Northeast Asia. The Secretary reaffirmed
the unshakable commitment of the United States to the combined defense of the ROK, as enshrined in
the Mutual Defense Treaty. The Secretary also reaffirmed the continued US commitment to provide
extended deterrence to the ROK using the full range of military capabilities, including US nuclear,
conventional, and missile defense capabilities. The Secretary and the Minister committed to ensure that
the Alliance deterrence posture remains credible, capable, and enduring. To this end, the two leaders

2020 Defense White Paper