08/21/2024 | Press release | Archived content
The defense ministers met in Seoul and discussed outstanding issues
Minister Shin appreciated Germany's contribution to regional peace
The ministers committed to defense and defense industry cooperation in various fields
Defense Minister Shin Won Sik and Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius shake hands before a defense ministerial meeting on August 2. Minister Shin welcomed the German visitors by wearing a Korea-Germany tie symbolizing the German flag.
Defense Minister Shin Won Sik held a defense ministerial meeting with Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and discussed defense and defense industry cooperation at the Defense Ministry building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on August 2.
Minister Shin said that Germany is traditionally a friendly nation that contributed greatly to the reconstruction of Korea after the Korean War by sending a medical support group and added that he looks forward to the additional development of bilateral relations that share the values of human rights rule of law and liberal democracy.
Minister Shin welcomed that Germany successfully joined the United Nations Command (UNC) through close coordination between Germany and the UNC. He also appreciated Germany's commitment to contributing to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Minister Shin said that with Germany's membership in the UNC, Korea and the UNC have a new partner in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in jointly responding to North Korea's threats.
The two ministers pledged to strengthen solidarity and partnership among the members of the UNC by regularly holding the Korea-UNC Defense Ministerial Meeting for regional peace.
They welcomed the active participation of the militaries of the two countries in multilateral combined exercises such as the Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) and Exercise Pitch Black. The two officials pledged to further consolidate bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation in various areas including the Indo-Pacific strategy, cybersecurity and technology.
The two defense ministers expressed serious concern over the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea and stressed that the security of Europe is closely linked to security on the Korean Peninsula. The two defense ministers agreed on the need for close cooperation among the international community, including Korea and Germany.
Minister Shin also strongly condemned the North for flying trash-filled balloons into the South and asked for Germany's support for South Korea's policy toward the North.
Meanwhile, Minister Shin presented a UNC tie to Minister Pistorius to commemorate Germany's membership in the UNC, which he wore at an event to celebrate the membership, hosted by the UNC Commander at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek at 2 p.m., thus consolidating bilateral friendship.
By Ah-Mi, Cho <[email protected]>
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