In a significant development, senior defense officials from South Korea, the United States, and 16 other countries under the U.S.-led United Nations Command convened in Seoul to address North Korea’s nuclear threats. The meeting, involving U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, resulted in a joint statement condemning North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs as unlawful and a violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.
The officials, representing countries that provided combat or medical forces during the 1950-53 Korean War, emphasized their united stance against any renewal of hostilities or armed attacks on the Korean Peninsula. South Korean Defense Minister Shin issued a strong warning, stating that North Korea would face a robust response from the international community if it attempted to invade the South again. He also cautioned countries supporting North Korea, particularly in light of its growing alignment with Russia and China.
The meeting followed annual defense talks between Austin and Shin, where they updated a bilateral security agreement to more effectively counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. The new Tailored Deterrence Strategy agreement, revised for the first time in a decade, outlines the U.S. commitment to mobilize its full range of military capabilities, including nuclear ones, to defend South Korea in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack.
The gathering also addressed concerns about potential military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, in written responses to AP, indicated that he would discuss the international response to the purported weapons deal between North Korea and Russia during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. Both Pyongyang and Moscow have denied claims that North Korea has been supplying munitions and military equipment to Russia.
This meeting underscores the heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and the international community’s resolve to maintain peace and security in the region. The collective response and strategic planning highlighted in the meeting reflect the ongoing efforts to deter North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and ensure stability in East Asia.