The Korea-U.S. Extended Deterrence Strategy Council is operational after 4 years and 8 months… agreement to be held annually
“All scenarios are coordinated in preparation for North Korea’s nuclear test… We are ready.”
U.S. “Strengthens cooperation in the timely deployment of strategic assets… Strong support for bold initiatives”
The ROK and the United States expressed serious concern over North Korea’s nuclear and other escalating tensions in the region and agreed to strengthen its deterrence posture, including nuclear and conventional forces, and missile defense.
First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong, Vice Minister of National Defense Shin Beom-cheol, U.S. State Department Arms Control and International Security Assistant Secretary Bonnie Jenkins, and Vice Defense Policy Minister Colin Carl held a meeting of the Deputy Minister-level Extended Deterrence Strategy Council (EDSCG) at the State Department in Washington, DC on the 16th (local time).
The EDSCG is a consultative body that comprehensively discusses policy and strategic issues to strengthen stability in the Indo-Pacific region, including defense on the Korean Peninsula.
This meeting was held for the first time in 4 years and 8 months since January 2018.
In a joint statement released after the meeting, the two sides said, “At this meeting, we will strengthen the U.S. security commitment to South Korea, strengthen deterrence against North Korea’s offensive actions, and more broadly respond to the North Korean threat in diplomacy, military, economics and intelligence. He emphasized the will to use all available means, including those available,” he said.
“The two sides express serious concern over North Korea’s sending of escalating messages regarding its use of nuclear weapons, including the adoption of new nuclear policy laws by North Korea,” the two sides said. We promised to continue our efforts.”
In particular, the statement stated that “the United States re-emphasized the ironclad and unshakable commitment of the United States to provide extended deterrence in the Republic of Korea using all categories of military capabilities, including nuclear, conventional, missile defense and advanced non-nuclear capabilities.”
“The ROK and the United States reaffirmed that any North Korean nuclear attack will face an overwhelming and decisive response,” he said. ” he exaggerated.
At the same time, the US will strengthen cooperation with South Korea so that the timely and effective regional deployment and operation of strategic assets in the region for deterrence and response to North Korea and enhancement of regional security will continue. It clearly demonstrates this commitment.”
The two sides will also continue to seek ways to cooperate to enhance the strategic readiness of the alliance through information sharing, training and exercise, as well as better use of the TTX. They agreed to strengthen cooperation and promote cooperation in the space and cyber domains, such as participating in exercises.
The United States reiterated its strong support for the goal of the Yun Seok-yeol administration’s ‘Bold Initiative’, a North Korean nuclear policy, and promised to continue coordinated efforts for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation on North Korea’s sanctions evasion and illegal cyber activities.
In particular, the two sides said, “North Korea’s nuclear test will face a strong and decisive pan-government response.”
Prior to the meeting, both sides mentioned the fact that the Korean delegation had inspected the B-52 strategic bomber, one of the most powerful means of US extended deterrence, and said, “The delegation’s inspection of the B-52 strategic bomber contributed to substantially strengthening the deterrence of the alliance. Not only that, but it also improved the execution power of extended deterrence.”
The two sides decided to hold a high-level EDSCG every year and to hold a working-level meeting in the first half of next year to prepare for the next meeting.
/yunhap news