Reaffirming Efforts for Swift Conclusion of Korea-US Defense Cost-Sharing Talks
Discussion on G7 Summit Invitation and Expanded Meeting, Cooperation Measures Between New Southern Policy and Indo-Pacific Strategy
Cho Se-young, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Stephen Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, are holding a press conference after concluding the 8th Korea-U.S. Deputy Foreign Ministers Strategic Meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul on the morning of the 8th. Photo by Joint Press Corps
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] South Korea and the United States have reiterated their intention to promptly finalize the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing, which has been in a negotiation gap for seven months. Steven Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, emphasized the importance of the ROK-U.S. alliance, stating that the two countries will closely cooperate for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Cho Se-young, First Vice Foreign Minister of South Korea, said in a brief statement after concluding the strategic vice foreign minister talks with Deputy Secretary Biegun at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building that "both sides agreed to strive to reach a mutually acceptable outcome as soon as possible regarding the pending defense cost-sharing agreement."
The two sides also discussed cooperation measures between the New Southern Policy and the Indo-Pacific Strategy, including the invitation to and expanded talks of the Group of Seven (G7) summit.
Vice Minister Cho explained, "We agreed to continue consultations on the invitation and expanded talks for the G7 summit, which were discussed during the ROK-U.S. leaders’ phone call on the 1st of last month," adding, "We will continue to seek harmonious cooperation between our New Southern Policy and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy based on the regional cooperation principles of openness, transparency, and inclusiveness."
Continuing his remarks, Deputy Secretary Biegun said, "We discussed peace on the Korean Peninsula and expect the two countries to cooperate more closely to advance the situation."
At this ROK-U.S. strategic dialogue, the South Korean side was represented by Vice Minister Cho, North American Affairs Director Ko Yoon-joo, and Deputy Director Park Jang-ho of the North Korea Nuclear Diplomacy Planning Group. The U.S. side included Deputy Secretary Biegun, Alex Wong, U.S. State Department Deputy Special Representative for North Korea, and Harry Harris, U.S. Ambassador to South Korea.
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