US Secretary of State Blincoln and Secretary of Defense Austin visit Korea today (17th) to hold a meeting with foreign ministers and defense ministers. It is expected that China will hold back and emphasize ROK-US-Japan cooperation to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.
This is reporter Kim Hye-young.
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This afternoon, Secretary of State Blincoln and Secretary of Defense Austin, who are visiting Korea, are holding the first Korea-US foreign ministers meeting and the defense ministers’ meeting, respectively, by the Biden administration.
At the ROK-US Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, it is expected to discuss various issues such as the ROK-US, Korean Peninsula issues, and international issues. It is also expected to discuss ways to cooperate with the ROK-US and Japan to check China and resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.
Minister Blincoln previously visited Japan and stressed the importance of Korea-US-Japan cooperation in responding to the threat of China as well as North Korea.
[블링컨/미 국무장관 : 우리는 자유롭고 열린 인도 태평양 지역에 대한 비전으로 단결돼 있습니다. 중국이 원하는 것을 얻으려 강압과 침략 수단을 쓴다면 우린 필요에 따라 맞대응할 것입니다.]
At the ROK-US defense ministers’ meeting, it is noted whether the necessity of strengthening ROK-US-Japan combined training or military exchange between Korea and Japan will be mentioned in addition to bilateral issues such as the transition of OPCON.
Ministers Blincoln and Austin will hold a 2+2 meeting with the US and ROK Foreign Ministers of Defense tomorrow morning and will also attend a press conference.
In addition, at 3 pm tomorrow, President Moon Jae-in will be prevented at the Blue House and interviewed with Security Officer Seo Hoon.
It is unusual for the head of the U.S. Foreign Affairs and Security to choose Japan and Korea as his first overseas visits at the same time, and analysts say that the trip itself is intended to reorient foreign policy, centering on China’s checks and Asia-Pacific relations.