[Full Text] Joint Statement of the 53rd ROK-US Security Consultative Meeting

Minister of National Defense Suh Wook (right) and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin are taking a commemorative photo at the 53rd Expanded Meeting of the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) held on the morning of the 2nd at the Ministry of National Defense's main conference room in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu]On the 2nd, Defense Minister Seo Wook of South Korea and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held the 53rd Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) at the Ministry of National Defense building in Seoul and issued a joint statement consisting of 21 articles.

The joint statement reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to extended deterrence for South Korea, maintaining the current level of U.S. Forces Korea, the relocation of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command headquarters from Yongsan, Seoul to Pyeongtaek by next year, and matters related to the Taiwan Strait.

Below is the full text of the joint statement.

『1. The 53rd Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) between the Republic of Korea and the United States was held in Seoul on December 2, 2021. The meeting was co-chaired by Seo Wook, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, and Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense of the United States of America, with senior officials from both countries’ defense and foreign affairs sectors in attendance. Prior to this meeting, on December 1, 2021, General Won In-chul, Chairman of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General Mark Milley, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, presided over the 46th Military Committee Meeting (MCM) between the ROK and the U.S.

2. The two ministers reaffirmed the vision of their respective heads of state, confirmed at the May 2021 ROK-U.S. summit, for a region governed by democratic norms, human rights, and the rule of law, and agreed that the partnership between the two countries, based on mutual trust and shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, is stronger than ever. They evaluated that the SCM has played a pivotal role in the continuous development of the ROK-U.S. alliance and will continue to serve as a central consultative body for discussing and confirming national-level commitments. Both sides agreed to continue developing the ROK-U.S. alliance, the cornerstone of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region, in a mutually complementary and forward-looking manner.

3. The two ministers reviewed the recent security environment on the Korean Peninsula and in the region and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries. They assessed the ROK-U.S. alliance as strong and reaffirmed their mutual commitments to combined defense of the Republic of Korea under the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty. They discussed North Korea’s recent missile launches and emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation to respond to all-domain threats. Secretary Austin reaffirmed the United States’ firm commitment to provide extended deterrence to the Republic of Korea by operating military capabilities across all categories, including nuclear, conventional, and missile defense capabilities. The two ministers agreed to strengthen deterrence posture by utilizing all available alliance capabilities, including cyber and space capabilities. Both sides committed to continue cooperation and coordination toward the shared goal of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of a lasting peace, as well as addressing North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The ministers emphasized the importance of resuming diplomacy and dialogue and urged the international community, including North Korea, to fully implement relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. They reaffirmed their shared belief that diplomacy and dialogue based on existing inter-Korean, North Korea-U.S., and multilateral commitments?including the 2018 Panmunjom Declaration, the Pyongyang Joint Declaration, the Singapore Summit Joint Statement, and the 2005 Six-Party Talks Joint Statement?are essential to achieving complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. They agreed to support diplomatic efforts through a robust combined readiness posture and the maintenance of international sanctions. The ministers urged North Korea to comply with international agreements.

4. The two ministers evaluated that various measures being pursued by the inter-Korean military authorities to implement the Armistice Agreement, the Panmunjom Declaration, and the September 19 Military Agreement have created conditions for reducing tensions, lowering the risk of war, and preventing accidental clashes in border areas on the Korean Peninsula. They also agreed that the implementation of the September 19 Military Agreement has effectively contributed to preventing accidental clashes on the Korean Peninsula. Secretary Austin expressed support for robust inter-Korean dialogue, engagement, and cooperation and agreed to maintain close coordination and cooperation between the ROK and U.S. military authorities in this regard.

5. The two ministers reaffirmed the role of the United Nations Command (UNC) in compliance with and implementation of the Armistice Agreement. They confirmed that the UNC has successfully contributed to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula for 68 years and will continue to perform its mission and tasks while fully respecting the sovereignty of the Republic of Korea. Additionally, Minister Seo conveyed South Korea’s position that the Northern Limit Line (NLL) is an effective means of separating military forces and preventing military tensions between the two Koreas.

6. The two ministers evaluated that U.S. Forces Korea has played a key role in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula for the past 68 years and reaffirmed that U.S. Forces Korea will continue to play an important role in preventing armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula and promoting peace and stability in the Northeast Asia region. Secretary Austin noted that the Indo-Pacific region is the U.S. Department of Defense’s top priority theater and reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to combined defense of the Republic of Korea as stipulated in the Mutual Defense Treaty, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to maintain the current level of U.S. Forces Korea. The ministers particularly evaluated that the ROK-U.S. Deterrence Strategy Committee (DSC) Extended Deterrence Tailored Exercise (TTX), conducted as part of the 20th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD), enhanced the alliance’s combined deterrence posture and improved the execution capability of tailored deterrence strategies. Secretary Austin reaffirmed that U.S. extended deterrence will be steadfastly maintained. The two ministers agreed to strengthen the alliance’s combined deterrence posture through tailored deterrence strategies to more effectively address North Korea’s advancing nuclear, other weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and missile threats. They also evaluated South Korea’s efforts to establish stable conditions for the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery at Seongju base and agreed to continue close cooperation toward the ultimate goal of regular and unrestricted access.

7. The two ministers received a report on the results of the Military Committee Meeting (MCM) from General Paul LaCamera, Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command. Based on this, they agreed to maintain a constant state of readiness, enhance combined defense capabilities, and update relevant operational plans. They also evaluated that significant progress has been made in effectively responding to various security challenges arising from changes in the strategic environment.

8. Based on these discussions, the two ministers approved a new Strategic Planning Guidance (SPG). This SPG, reflecting changes in the strategic environment, will provide guidance for the alliance’s planning efforts. The ministers assessed that this SPG will more effectively deter North Korea’s threats to the ROK-U.S. alliance and provide guidance for military operational plans for response when necessary.

9. The two ministers reaffirmed the continued necessity of combined exercises and training on the Korean Peninsula to strengthen the alliance’s readiness posture. Both sides evaluated that the 2021 first and second half combined command post exercises were successfully conducted in compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines and that combined exercises conducted evenly throughout the year strengthened the ROK-U.S. combined defense posture and military readiness. The ministers noted that combined command post exercises are a key element in maintaining alliance readiness and agreed to cooperate closely to conduct the 2022 first and second half combined command post exercises. Both sides assessed that the ROK-U.S. alliance must continue to focus on maintaining military readiness and combined defense posture to respond to dynamic changes on the Korean Peninsula.

10. The two ministers emphasized that continuous training conditions for U.S. Forces Korea are essential to maintaining a strong combined defense posture. They agreed on the importance of communication and cooperation between the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea and U.S. Forces Korea in the process of jointly using South Korean facilities and airspace more effectively and productively for training necessary to maintain a strong combined defense posture. Additionally, the ministers agreed to continue cooperation for the development of a combined joint multi-purpose live-fire range.

11. The two ministers expressed appreciation for the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command’s pivotal role in deterring war and defending the Republic of Korea since its establishment in 1978. They reviewed the progress of relocating the Combined Forces Command headquarters within Camp Humphreys and evaluated the joint efforts toward this. They reaffirmed that relocating the Combined Forces Command headquarters within Camp Humphreys will contribute to enhancing combined operational capabilities and strengthening combined defense posture and agreed to cooperate closely to complete the relocation by next year.

12. The two ministers reviewed the progress of tasks designated in the “Conditions-Based Transfer of Wartime Operational Control (OPCON) Plan” for the transfer of wartime operational control and noted progress related to the plan. They discussed future directions for the transfer of OPCON to the future combined command. The ministers reaffirmed that the conditions specified in the mutually agreed “Conditions-Based Transfer of OPCON Plan” must be fully met before wartime operational control is transferred to the future combined command. They agreed to conduct a Full Operational Capability (FOC) evaluation of the future combined command in 2022. Concurrently, they agreed to complete a comprehensive joint study on capabilities reflected in the “Conditions-Based Transfer of OPCON Plan” and revisions to the annexes and appendices of “Conditions-Based Transfer of OPCON Plan Amendment 1” by the first half of 2022 KIDD and to complete a joint ROK-U.S. assessment of South Korea’s core military capabilities and the alliance’s comprehensive capabilities to respond to North Korean nuclear and missile threats by the 54th SCM.

13. The two ministers noted progress in meeting conditions for OPCON transfer through joint ROK-U.S. efforts. Minister Seo emphasized that South Korea will continue to systematically and actively pursue the core military capabilities necessary for future combined defense leadership while continuously expanding its defense capabilities. Secretary Austin reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to provide sustaining capabilities reflected in the “Conditions-Based Transfer of OPCON Plan” and complementary capabilities until South Korea develops its defense capabilities. The ministers noted South Korea’s plans to acquire and develop core military capabilities and agreed to closely coordinate on South Korea’s acquisition plans. Both sides agreed to periodically evaluate and review the implementation status of OPCON transfer through annual SCM and MCM meetings to maintain the current robust combined defense system.

14. The two ministers agreed to continue strengthening cooperation in various fields, including space and cyber, to ensure effective responses to emerging threats and enhance the alliance’s comprehensive response capabilities. They agreed that development and cooperation in new domains will strengthen the alliance’s combined defense posture against diverse threats. The ministers confirmed the defense authorities’ efforts to develop core infrastructure systems such as information and space systems and to enhance security. They expressed a shared vision to further strengthen cooperation in advanced technology fields such as cyber and space. Both sides agreed to explore ways to enhance alliance space capabilities through the ROK-U.S. Defense Space Working Group (SCWG) and joint ROK-U.S. space policy studies. This includes exploring ways to develop space situational awareness information-sharing systems and expanding bilateral and multilateral combined exercises and training to improve the alliance’s space operational capabilities. The ministers also agreed to seek opportunities for cultivating space professionals within the alliance. Both sides agreed to maintain close communication and cooperation in the cyber domain, including the Cyber Policy Working Group (CCWG) scheduled for February 2022 to share cyber threat trends and discuss policy progress. They also agreed to gradually develop cooperation and exchanges between the two countries’ Cyber Commands to discuss and promote mutual interests.

15. The two ministers agreed to continue exchange activities between ROK-U.S. consultative bodies covering defense research and development, industrial cooperation, force construction and acquisition, logistics, and technology protection, and agreed on the need to advance key issues in areas such as force enhancement, interoperability, acquisition, and operation and maintenance. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to prioritize restructuring bilateral consultative bodies to improve the efficiency and timeliness of defense industry and research and development cooperation. The ministers confirmed that ROK-U.S. scientific and technological cooperation has expanded in various fields including space, quantum technology, sensors/electronic warfare, cyber defense, artificial intelligence, autonomous technologies, and directed energy, and agreed to explore cooperation in 5G and next-generation mobile communications (6G). Both sides evaluated that such cooperation continues to develop in a way that promotes shared ROK-U.S. interests.

16. Considering the complex security situation regionally and globally, the two ministers agreed to continue enhancing defense and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and globally, where they share mutual interests in better addressing regional and global security challenges. In this context, the ministers agreed to explore cooperation between South Korea’s New Southern Policy and the United States’ Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) initiative. They reaffirmed the importance of a rules-based international order, including freedom of navigation and overflight, and compliance with international rules and norms, expressing their willingness to cooperate further in this regard. Additionally, the ministers confirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as reflected in the joint statement of the May 2021 summit between President Biden and President Moon. They also reaffirmed support for ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led regional architecture. The ministers committed to promoting human rights and the rule of law domestically and internationally. They jointly condemned violence by Myanmar’s military and police against civilians and pledged to continue pressing for an immediate end to violence, release of political detainees, and a swift return to democracy. They called on all countries to join in banning arms sales to Myanmar. The ministers emphasized their commitment to United Nations peacekeeping operations and agreed to cooperate for the success of the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference to be held in Seoul. They also reaffirmed commitments to counter-piracy operations, stabilization and reconstruction efforts, regional security cooperation initiatives, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief. Minister Seo expressed gratitude for the U.S. government’s COVID-19 vaccine support to the South Korean military this year, highlighting it as an example of the strength of the ROK-U.S. alliance. Both sides agreed to continue close cooperation to address this global pandemic. Furthermore, Minister Seo noted the close communication and cooperation with the U.S. Department of Defense in support of the Republic of Korea’s “Miracle Operation” to evacuate local staff and their families who assisted South Korea in Afghanistan and expressed appreciation to the U.S. government and all U.S. military personnel who devotedly supported humanitarian values.

17. Secretary Austin expressed appreciation for South Korea’s dedication and contributions to global security, including the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). The ministers highly evaluated ROK-U.S. efforts on countering weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) to prevent the acquisition and use of WMD and to mitigate WMD threats when necessary, thereby enhancing the alliance’s combined response capabilities. They agreed to continue strengthening cooperation to enhance WMD response capabilities through the ROK-U.S. Counter-WMD Committee (CWMDC) and the U.S. Department of Defense’s Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program.

18. The two ministers assessed that trilateral security cooperation among the Republic of Korea, the United States, and Japan remains central to regional stability and agreed to continue trilateral security cooperation, including information sharing, the ROK-U.S.-Japan Defense Trilateral Talks (DTT), high-level policy consultations including defense minister meetings, combined exercises, and personnel exchanges to achieve complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and promote peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

19. The two ministers reaffirmed that the prompt relocation and return of U.S. Forces Korea bases, including the return of Yongsan Garrison, aligns with the interests of both countries and agreed to closely cooperate on all matters, including environmental conditions and security requirements, for timely base returns under the ROK-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). They particularly reaffirmed that a substantial portion of Yongsan Garrison land will be returned by early 2022 after appropriate security fencing is installed by South Korea. Additionally, both sides agreed to proceed with the return of the Yongsan Garrison area once all necessary relocation and protection measures are completed. The ministers highly appreciated discussions of various options through SOFA channels and agreed to continue addressing related issues within the established procedures of the ROK-U.S. SOFA Joint Committee.

20. Secretary Austin emphasized South Korea’s contributions to ensuring stable conditions for the stationing of U.S. Forces Korea and expressed appreciation for the ratification consent of the 11th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) by the South Korean National Assembly. The ministers also evaluated that the SMA has significantly contributed to enhancing ROK-U.S. combined defense capabilities.

21. Minister Seo and Secretary Austin expressed appreciation for the hospitality and warm welcome extended by both countries for the successful hosting of this SCM and for the excellent preparations for the meeting. They confirmed that discussions at the 53rd SCM and 46th MCM have substantively strengthened the ROK-U.S. alliance and contributed to the development of a comprehensive and mutually beneficial ROK-U.S. defense relationship. Both sides agreed to hold the 54th SCM and 47th MCM at a mutually convenient time in Washington in 2022.』