![[전문] Joint Statement of the Korea-US Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministers “North Korea Nuclear Power, Alliance Priority Concern”](https://image.chosun.com/sitedata/image/202103/18/2021031801277_0.jpg "[전문] Joint Statement of the Korea-US Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministers “North Korea Nuclear Power, Alliance Priority Concern”")
Input 2021.03.18 11:52
On March 18, 2021, South Korean Foreign Minister Eui-yong Eui and Defense Minister Seo Wook held a meeting of the US-Korea Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministers with US Secretary of State Anthony Blincoln and Defense Minister Lloyd Austin.
The ministers of both countries reaffirmed that the ROK-US alliance formed by blood on the battlefield 70 years ago is the core axis of peace, security, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region. With a global threat rising, the ROK-US alliance is more important than ever.
In addition, the Ministers of the two countries evaluated that the ROK-US alliance has developed into a comprehensive and global partnership based on mutual respect and trust, close friendship, strong human ties, and shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and rule of law. The Ministers of the two countries decided to further promote mutually complementary and future-oriented cooperation in various fields, including solid trade relations, cooperation in response to climate crisis, response to infectious diseases, and cooperation in economic recovery after Corona 19.
The Ministers of the two countries reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and strengthening the combined defense posture in accordance with the’Korea-US Mutual Defense Treaty’. Secretary of Defense Austin and Secretary of State Blincoln reaffirmed the US’ commitment to defense against the ROK and its commitment to deterrence from expansion using all categories of capabilities. The Ministers of the two countries decided to strengthen the alliance’s deterrence posture and re-emphasized the importance of maintaining a joint readiness posture against all common threats to the alliance through combined training and practice. The Ministers of the two countries noted that the USFK continues to play an important role in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, and decided to continue efforts to secure the power posture and capabilities necessary for the ROK-US to cope with the common challenges.
The Ministers of the two countries confirmed that the agreement in principle on the new multi-year special agreement to share defense costs symbolizes a common commitment to the ROK-US alliance, supports the stable presence of US forces in Korea, and strengthens the combined defense posture.
The Ministers of the two countries noted that the ROK and the United States have made great progress through joint efforts since the decision of the US to pursue OPCON conversion in 2006, and re-emphasized a firm determination to switch OPCON in accordance with the’Condition-based OPCON conversion plan’. I did. Building on these progress, the ministers of both countries decided to continue to work toward the transition of opposition rights.
The ministers of the two countries emphasized that the North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile issue is a priority concern of the alliance, and reaffirmed their shared will to cope with and resolve this issue. The ministers of both countries affirmed the importance of the international community, including North Korea, to fully implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The ROK and the US are closely coordinating all issues related to the Korean Peninsula. The Ministers of the two countries agreed that these issues should be dealt with under a fully coordinated North Korea strategy between the ROK and the United States. To this end, the ministers of both countries agreed to continue high-level consultations on the ongoing review of the US policy toward North Korea.
The Ministers of the two countries affirmed the importance of trilateral cooperation between the two countries and agreed to continue mutually beneficial and future-oriented cooperation to promote peace, security, and prosperity in the region.
Against the backdrop of increasing challenges to the regional security environment, the values shared by the ROK-US alliance support our two countries’ pledge to oppose any action that undermines and destabilizes the norm-based international order.
The ROK and the United States underlined the mutual commitment of the two countries to maintain peace and stability, not to interfere with legal trade, and to respect international law. The ROK and the United States re-emphasized their resolve to cooperate together to create a free and open Intae area through linkage and cooperation with Korea’s New Southern Policy. The two countries will work together to support ASEAN-centricity and other regional efforts. The Ministers of the two countries appreciated that the ongoing bilateral dialogue has contributed to the expansion of cooperation in the Pacific Islands and Mekong subregions.
Ministers of both countries emphasized the role that the ROK and the United States has played in promoting solidarity and cooperation to jointly respond to increasing global challenges. The Ministers of the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in various fields such as trade, health, non-proliferation, nuclear power, Corona 19, climate crisis response, space, and cyber security.
The ministers of both countries emphasized that the ROK-US alliance, built on shared values and built on trust, is stronger than ever. In the era of challenges and opportunities, the ministers of both countries decided to further deepen and develop cooperation between the two countries, paying attention to the dynamism, reciprocity, and infinite potential of the ROK-US alliance.