by By Oluchi Omai
Washington, D.C. – The United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) reaffirmed their strong alliance and commitment to regional security during a recent 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministerial meeting.
Key points from the joint statement:
Strengthening the Alliance
- Shared Vision and Values: The two nations reaffirmed their shared vision, common values, and unwavering commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).
- Enhanced Defense Posture: The U.S. and ROK pledged to coordinate closely to deter potential threats and enhance their combined defense posture.
- Expanded Cooperation: Both sides committed to expanding cooperation in various areas, including climate change, health security, nonproliferation, and supply chain diversification.
Deterrence Against North Korea
- Ironclad Commitment: The U.S. reiterated its ironclad commitment to the defense of the ROK, backed by the full range of U.S. capabilities, including nuclear.
- Strong Deterrence: Both sides pledged to strengthen deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats through joint military exercises and enhanced intelligence sharing.
- Diplomatic Efforts: The U.S. and ROK remain open to dialogue with North Korea without preconditions.
Regional Security and Global Issues
- Indo-Pacific Cooperation: The two nations emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, including addressing challenges in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
- Trilateral Cooperation: The U.S. and ROK affirmed their commitment to trilateral cooperation with Japan to address regional security challenges.
- Global Challenges: Both sides pledged to work together to address global issues such as climate change, nuclear non-proliferation, and human rights.
The joint statement underscores the enduring partnership between the U.S. and the ROK and their shared commitment to peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
