[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] On the 31st, President Yoon Suk-yeol met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Yongsan Presidential Office, where they exchanged views on major issues including the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.
During the meeting with Secretary Austin, President Yoon discussed key issues such as the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, measures to strengthen extended deterrence capabilities, and trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, according to a written briefing by Kim Eun-hye, Chief of Public Relations at the Presidential Office.
President Yoon urged, "As North Korea's nuclear threat is becoming increasingly sophisticated day by day, please proceed with consultations between South Korea and the U.S. to establish an effective and strong Korea-U.S. extended deterrence system that can alleviate the concerns of the Korean people."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who is visiting Korea, at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 31st, and they are taking a commemorative photo. / Photo by the Presidential Office
Additionally, President Yoon emphasized the practical implementation of combined South Korea-U.S. military exercises to prepare for the changing security environment on the Korean Peninsula.
Chief Kim reported that President Yoon highly appreciated the plan to conduct the ‘Freedom Shield’ combined exercise, scheduled for the first half of this year, continuously for 11 days without interruption for the first time, as well as the plan to expand the scale of the combined field training exercises.
Secretary Austin stated, "The Korea-U.S. alliance is a blood alliance sharing the values of freedom and democracy and is the cornerstone of security in Northeast Asia. It is stronger than ever. The United States will make every effort for combined defense."
President Yoon and Secretary Austin also agreed on the necessity to strengthen trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan to deter and respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, Chief Kim revealed.
On the U.S. side, Philip Goldberg, U.S. Ambassador to South Korea; Paul LaCamera, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea; Ely Ratner, U.S. Department of Defense Assistant Secretary for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs; and Siddharth Mohandas, Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asia, attended the meeting. On the South Korean side, Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop, National Security Office Director Kim Sung-han, First Deputy Director Kim Tae-hyo, Second Deputy Director Im Jong-deuk, and Defense Secretary Im Ki-hoon were present.
Secretary Austin departed for his next destination, the Philippines, via Osan Air Base that evening.
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