ROK and U.S. strongly condemn “deepening Russia-North Korea military alliance”

Joint statement made following the sixth Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2)

Will closely monitor the illegal weapons transfer and troop dispatch

Will make an effective response to a change in threats

Will increase the visibility of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula

Minister Kim Yong Hyun strongly called for the withdrawal of the troop dispatch

Foreign and defense officials of ROK and U.S. strongly condemned the deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea. They pledged to closely monitor the Russia's support to the North and maintain unwavering commitment to a complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun held the sixth ROK-U.S. Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2) with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department in Washington, D.C. on October 31 (local time) and issued the joint statement.

The statement strongly condemned the deepening Russia-North Korea military alliance, such as ongoing illegal transfers of weapons and North Korean troops dispatched to Russia. It clarified that these developments violate multiple UN Security Council Resolutions, exacerbate the suffering of the people in Ukraine, and jeopardize stability in both the Indo-Pacific region and Europe.

The officials decided to monitor the support Russia provides to North Korea and disclose it. They also agreed to implement the current unilateral sanctions and take necessary measures along with the international community to deter further illegal acts that cause instability.

The ROK/U.S. officials also strongly criticized the dangerous and provocative acts of North Norea, including an ICBM test on October 31, the continued pursuit of weapons of mass destruction (MAD) and ballistic missile programs, and called for North Korea's suspension of destabilizing acts.

They reiterated the iron-clad U.S. commitment to provide extended deterrence to the Republic of Korea, and deploy the full range of U.S. defense capabilities including nuclear capabilities. They reaffirmed that a North Korean nuclear attack on the South will face an immediate, overwhelming, and decisive response.

The officials agreed to bolster consultations and strategic planning to react effectively to any changes in threats. They decided to expand table top exercise (TTX) and table top simulation (TTS) with the increased frequency and routinization of U.S. strategic asset deployments.

They strongly objected to unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific region and acknowledged the importance of preserving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. They also concurred that deepening cooperation among Korea, the U.S. and Japan is crucial in preserving regional stability and addressing common challenges such as nuclear and missile threats from the North.

In a joint press conference after the meeting, Minister Kim said, "We agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation to deter and respond to the escalating North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. We strongly condemned the illegal military alliance between Russia and North Korea, including North Korea sending troops to Russia, and called for the North to immediately withdraw its troops."

Minister Kim went on to say, "Korea and the United States have upgraded the ROK-U.S. Alliance to a nuclear-based alliance by completing the Republic of Korea and Unites States Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula in July." He explained, "We reaffirmed our shared goal of the complete denuclearization of North Korea and pledged to continue strengthening extended deterrence implementation based on the historic Guidelines."

Minister Kim added, "We concurred on the need to modernize Alliance capabilities based on science and technology cooperation to address new challenges. We committed to strengthening defense ties with ASEAN members, cooperate with the Pacific Island countries according to each country's strategy in the Indo-Pacific region, and strengthen trilateral security cooperation among Korea, the U.S., and Japan, and decided to make efforts to creating synergy in collaboration regarding the AUKU.S. Pillar 2."

By Hyun-woo, Seo <[email protected]>

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