Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

The 9th ASEAN Defense Ministerial Meeting-Plus triggers ROK-China Defense Ministers’ meeting

On November 23 (Wednesday), Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup met with Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe during the 9th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-Plus).

Both defense ministers stressed the importance of strengthening all collaborations through close strategic communication and various exchanges between defense authorities for the future-oriented growth of ROK-China defense cooperation. With COVID-19 not yet under control, both have decided to normalize and expand the mutual visits of defense ministers, which was suspended after the program's implementation in 2015, the vice minister-level defense strategy dialogue, which was suspended after 2019, the operation of a communication system between military authorities of the two countries, including direct phone calls between defense ministries, mutual visits, and education and training at various levels and human exchanges such as student exchanges.

“It is not acceptable to claim that North Korea's development of nuclear and missile capabilities is a response to the US-ROK joint military drills and US threats,” Minister Lee said regarding the North Korean threat.

Minister Lee introduced the three visions and three principles of South Korea's Indo-Pacific strategy, which President Yoon Suk Yeol announced at the most recent ASEAN-ROK Summit, while Minister Wei expressed concern about the ongoing Ukrainian war, saying he hopes it will end soon through dialogue and negotiations to prevent further sacrifices.