청 "NSC Standing Committee, Mobilizing Security and Foreign Affairs Ministries' Full Capabilities to Overcome COVID-19"

NSC Standing Committee Meeting Held Under National Security Office Director Suh Hoon...Evaluating the 30th Anniversary Significance of the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement Adoption

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House announced on the 9th that "a meeting of the NSC Standing Committee was held under the chairmanship of Suh Hoon, Director of the National Security Office."

The Blue House stated, "Participants of the (NSC Standing Committee meeting) recognized the urgent need for a whole-of-government effort to quickly overcome the spread of COVID-19, including the Omicron variant, and agreed to mobilize all available capabilities at the level of security and diplomatic ministries, including military hospital beds and medical personnel support."

Additionally, the Blue House explained, "The 2021 Seoul UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting was evaluated as an opportunity to consolidate the international community's will and practical contributions to strengthening UN peacekeeping operations, as well as to enhance our status as a steadfast supporter of peacekeeping activities and contribute to expanding international consensus for peace on the Korean Peninsula."

The view of the Cheongwadae from Namsan, Seoul./Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

NSC participants reviewed the outcomes of the 53rd ROK-US Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) held on the 2nd, including the implementation of the 2022 Full Operational Capability (FOC) evaluation for the transfer of wartime operational control, the return of Yongsan Garrison, and the reaffirmation of the United States' firm defense commitment to Korea.

The Blue House stated, "They assessed the significance of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-aggression, Exchanges and Cooperation between the South and the North (South-North Basic Agreement), and agreed to continue efforts to promptly resume dialogue with North Korea while maintaining stability in the situation on the Korean Peninsula."

Meanwhile, NSC participants agreed to closely monitor relevant developments and take necessary measures to ensure the safety and protection of Korean nationals and companies operating in overseas risk areas.