Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

“Solidifying the implementation of an extended deterrence, such as the nuclear umbrella”

Defense Minister Han Min-koo and Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se visited the United States

Left flowers at the Korean War Veterans Memorial Park

Discussed comprehensive strategies for responding to the North Korean nuclear and missile threats

Plans to maximize the effects of sanctions against North Korea discussed as well

Defense Minister Han Min-koo and Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se pledged to solidify a “stronger extended deterrence to respond to the North Korean nuclear and missile threats” at the Korea-U.S. Foreign and Defense (2+2) Ministerial Talks and the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM).

The ministers visited the United States on October 18 (hereinafter local time), and began their official visit with an offering of flowers at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington DC.

Minister Han shook hands one by one with American veterans of the Korean War who attended the event showed his deep appreciation and respect to them, saying that the 2+2 Talks and SCM are more important than ever given the serious security situation, in which North Korea has been advancing its nuclear ability and provoking us constantly.

He also said, “Both countries, Korea and the U.S. will have a deep discussion regarding issues such as plans to ensure an extended deterrence including a nuclear umbrella of the states which can respond to the North’s nuclear and missile threats, and tasks to strengthen the Korea-U.S. combined defense preparation, etc.”

On the North Korean nuclear and missile threats, Minister Yun warned that the threat was at a higher level than in the past, saying that the foreign and defense highest executives will discuss comprehensive strategies in order to respond to the North’s threats at a diplomatic and military level during the 2+2 Talks.

He also pointed to “extended deterrence“ as key element of the U.S. defense commitment towards the South, and added he will make an effort to enhance the Korea-U.S. alliance, including the materialization and institutionalization of the extended deterrence.

Especially he explained that the sanctions against North Korea the Korean government has currently carried forward consist of three aspects – ‘sanctions through the UN Security Council‘, ‘independent sanctions by allied nation including the U.S.‘ and ‘pressures against North Korea taken by other international society nations‘. “The 2+2 Talks will focus on discussing how to get the most out of our sanctions against North Korea based on those three axes” said Minister Yun.

He continued to express his gratitude to the war veterans on behalf of the Korean government and the Korean people, declaring that “Korea was incredibly successful in being able to achieve economic development and democracy at the same time after World War II. This kind of success is owed to the blood shed by the American war veterans who are buried here.”

After the offering of flowers, both ministers attended the 2+2 Talks held on October 19, 1:30 pm, and had a broad discussion on the ▲Korea-U.S. alliance, ▲North Korean issues, ▲regional issues, ▲global partnership, etc. with Secretary John Kerry and Defense Minister Ashton Carter and they issued a joint statement about the results of the talks. Meanwhile, the 48th SCM will be held on October 21.

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