Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

“Overwhelming response to attacks on the U.S. and allied nations”

Reaffirmed solid ROK-U.S. alliance and defense commitment toward Korea
Consensus about THAAD deployment in the U.S. Armed Forces in Korea within the year
Agreement on the intensified KR/FE exercises as well

“The ROK-U.S. alliance is the core axis of Asia-Pacific stability”
Strong warning against North Korea’s increasing threats
Promise to continue to further discuss Extended Deterrence

First defense ministerial talks with Mattis and allied countries

Korea and the U.S. reaffirmed their strong alliance and the U.S.'s defense commitment toward Korea. The U.S. further warned North Korea about their nuclear and missile threats, stating that the U.S. will respond firmly and strongly.

Defense Minister Han Min-koo and U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis held the ‘ROK-U.S. Ministers’ Conference’ at the MND building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on February 3, where they discussed the primary pending issues of the alliance, which included those issues. The conference received a great deal of attention, as it represented the first ministerial talks between the two countries after Donald Trump’s administration has been launched’; Korea also marks the new administration's very first international visit.

“Both ministers reaffirmed the U.S.'s defense commitment toward Korea, as well as the strong Korea-U.S. alliance. They also showed their strong will to respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. With this, they agreed to continue to discuss how to reinforce their executive ability of the Extended Deterrence, and reached a consensus to stably carry out pending plans, such as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) deployment in the U.S. Army in Korea,” said an MND spokesperson at a briefing following the conference.

During the conference, the two defense ministers evaluated the extreme threat posed by North Korea's phase closure proposal of Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), and the ministers also held an extensive discussion on North Korea's situation and their counterplans. In addition, they agreed to continue to cooperate with the international community to make North Korea give up their nuclear development plans, while also offering more intensified training, since there is a chance that North Korea will provoke us during Key Resolve/Foal Eagle (KR/FE) exercises in order to test the Trump administration’s will.

The ministers also agreed to reinforce the alliances’ executive ability of the Extended Deterrence with a tailored deterrence strategy developed to respond to North Korea's increasing nuclear and missile threats, as well as to operate the deterrence strategy committee, extended deterrence council, etc.. They also decided to further develop their plans for Extended Deterrence, which include regularly deploying U.S. military assets to the Korean Peninsula.

After sharing the progress of THAAD deployment in the U.S. Armed Forces in Korea, both ministers reaffirmed that it is not a control over any other third country, but rather a self-defensive action that will serve only to protect the Korean people and the military power of the Korea-U.S. alliance from North Korean nuclear and missile threats. Accordingly, they agreed to proceed with THAAD deployment within the year, as planned.

At an opening speech before the conference, Minister Mattis said, “Korea marks my first visit since my inauguration. This highlights the high priority the U.S. gives to the Korea-U.S. alliance, and shows the U.S.’s strong will to protect the democracy of Korea.”

　“The alliance between Korea and the U.S. has been mutually agreed upon and is the core axis that brings stability to the Asia and Pacific regions. We will be together with the peace-loving Korean people to secure the stability of the Korean Peninsula and its associated regions. If the enemy attacks the U.S. or any other allied nations, we will definitely repulse them, and if North Korea uses nuclear weapons, we will do overwhelming response,” stated Mattis.

　Minister Han said, “The very fact that Minister Mattis has visited Korea and held a conference regarding these severe security circumstances not only confirms the firm and strong will of the Korea-U.S. alliance to respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, but also represents the most powerful warning message for North Korea. We emphasize on the constant and strong alliance between Korea and the U.S., and we have confidence that the close-knit cooperative relationship we have between our defense ministries will give us the chance to lead the development of a comprehensive strategic alliance.”

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