Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup joins the 9th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus

—Presentation of measures to strengthen regional security cooperation—

On the morning of November 23 (Wed), Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup introduced the Ministry of National Defense's policy direction for the Korean government's Indo-Pacific strategy for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region at the plenary session of the 9th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-Plus), and discussed regional security issues.

Minister Lee explained at the meeting that the ROK's Indo-Pacific policy aims to establish a rule-based international order based on universal values under the three principles of inclusion, trust, and reciprocity, and to actualize the three ideals of freedom, peace, and prosperity.

Regarding North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, Minister Lee stressed that North Korea's recent missile provocations, including the recent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and preparations for its seventh nuclear test, pose serious threats to international peace and stability, not just on the Korean Peninsula.

In this respect, the leaders of the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines denounced North Korea's ballistic missile launch as a flagrant breach of the UN Security Council resolution and a threat to world security.