President Moon meets US Defense Secretary Austin, urges support for 'End of War Declaration'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 2nd, President Moon Jae-in met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Blue House and requested support for a declaration of the end of the war.

President Moon said, "Our government proposed the 'Korean Peninsula End-of-War Declaration' to hand over a situation where North Korea-U.S. and inter-Korean talks are ongoing to the next administration," adding, "For the peace journey on the Korean Peninsula to continue, close cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. is more important than anything else, so I ask for continuous interest and support."

In response, Secretary Austin said, "I pay tribute to President Moon's diplomatic efforts to improve North Korea-U.S. and inter-Korean relations," and added, "The U.S. remains committed to diplomatic efforts toward North Korea."

Also, President Moon expressed gratitude to the U.S. side for their cooperation and support for the South Korea-U.S. mutual transfer of remains ceremony held in Hawaii last September, stating, "The South Korea-U.S. alliance is developing beyond a security alliance into a future-oriented and comprehensive alliance including economy, technology, and health."

Secretary Austin evaluated, "Today’s Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) between South Korea and the U.S. was productive and a meaningful time to discuss various strategic issues," and responded, "South Korea’s successful rescue of Afghan allies through Operation Miracle demonstrates the excellent partnership between South Korea and the U.S."

Secretary Austin also said, "I heard about the return of U.S. military bases in South Korea, especially the plan to convert Yongsan Base into a park during the SCM, and I would like to visit once the park is established," to which President Moon replied, "If Yongsan Base is transformed into a natural park, it will forever remain a symbol of the deep friendship between South Korea and the U.S."

President Moon and Secretary Austin exchanged views on the possibility of an early Full Operational Capability (FOC) evaluation for the transfer of wartime operational control and agreed to continue efforts to find common ground between the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy and South Korea’s New Southern Policy as agreed upon by the South Korea-U.S. leaders.