National Security Office Director Cho Tae-yong visited Korea to attend the Korea-U.S.-Japan Security Directors’ Meeting scheduled to be held in September. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and the ROK-U.S. Security Office Directors held a meeting on the 8th to discuss issues of mutual interest, including ROK-U.S. relations, North Korea issues, and regional and global cooperation. The President’s Office announced that they had discussed this.
In addition, prior to the meeting with Aide Sullivan, Director Cho held a Korea-Japan Security Chiefs’ Meeting with Japan’s National Security Agency Director Takeo Akiba this afternoon to strengthen cooperation between Korea-Japan, the United States, and the United States and solidarity with the international community in order to sternly respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile provocations. The necessity was reaffirmed.
Both sides evaluated the ROK-U.S. alliance, saying, “As a global comprehensive strategic alliance, it is stronger than ever before,” and “As a core axis of peace and prosperity in the region, it is contributing to the expansion of liberal democracy, economic development, security, and technological innovation.” In addition, both sides agreed that follow-up measures, such as the joint statement commemorating the 70th anniversary of the alliance and the Washington Declaration, agreed upon by the leaders of the ROK and the United States on the occasion of President Yoon Seok-yeol’s state visit to the United States, are being implemented without a hitch. We also agreed to further strengthen cooperation in areas including extended deterrence, emerging technologies, and economic security.
In addition, the heads of the ROK-U.S. Security Office shared the opinion regarding the partial suspension of the ‘9.19 Military Agreement’ taken by the South Korean side, saying, “It is a prudent and restrained measure in response to North Korea’s continued violation of Security Council resolutions and agreements.” Additionally, both countries confirmed that they are open to dialogue with North Korea. In relation to this, Advisor Sullivan emphasized, “The United States’ defense commitment to Korea is more solid than ever.”
National Security Office Director Cho Tae-yong is taking a commemorative photo with Japanese National Security Director Takeo Akiba at the Korea-Japan Security Directors’ Meeting held on the 8th. At this event, Korea and Japan exchanged opinions on issues of mutual interest, including regional and international situations, including Korea-Japan relations and North Korea issues. 2023.12.8/Provided by Presidential OfficePrior to the Korea-U.S. Security Directors’ Meeting, Director Cho held a Korea-Japan Security Directors’ Meeting this afternoon with Director Akiba, who was visiting Korea to attend the Korea-US-Japan Security Directors’ Meeting. The two sides exchanged opinions on issues of mutual interest, including regional and international situations, including Korea-Japan relations and North Korea issues.
Both sides evaluated that exchanges between the two countries are taking place smoothly at all levels, including through seven summits this year, and will continue to have close communication and exchanges between the two countries in the future, creating opportunities for the people of both countries to experience in various fields, including security, economy, and people-to-people exchanges. We decided to expand cooperation measures to achieve results.
Additionally, both sides agreed that North Korea’s unprecedented provocations pose a serious threat to peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in the region and the international community as a whole. In this regard, South Korea and Japan reaffirmed the need to strengthen cooperation between South Korea and Japan, the United States and Japan, and solidarity in the international community to firmly respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile provocations. Additionally, as core partners who share values, we decided to continue communicating and cooperating for peace and stability in the region and the international community.
The trilateral security chiefs’ meeting between Korea, the United States and Japan will be held in Seoul on the 9th. This is a meeting held in accordance with the Camp David Agreement last August. The security chiefs of the three countries plan to discuss regional security issues, including North Korea, global issues, and ways to cooperate in economic security.
On the same day, the first Korea-U.S. Next-Generation Core Emerging Technology Conference will be held, presided over by Director Cho and Assistant Secretary Sullivan. The ROK-US next-generation core emerging technology dialogue is being held in accordance with the agreement reached at the ROK-US summit last April. The two countries will put their heads together on ways to deepen cooperation between the two countries in semiconductors, batteries, clean energy, quantum, bio, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.