<기사제목>Defense Minister Seo Wook: "No Proposal for Quad Membership at the ROK-US 2+2 Meeting"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] Defense Minister Seo Wook predicted that during the two-day visit of the U.S. Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense starting on the 17th, the U.S. side would not propose expanding membership in the 'Quad' (a four-country consultative group consisting of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia).

On the 16th, at the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, in response to a question from independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo asking, "What is the Ministry of Defense's position if the U.S. requests participation in the Quad?" Minister Seo replied, "There has been no official proposal from the U.S. I do not think such a proposal will be made."

Regarding participation in the Quad, Minister Seo stated, "It has not been reviewed," and anticipated, "There will be extensive discussions on the ROK-U.S. alliance and ROK-U.S.-Japan security cooperation during this meeting."

Currently visiting Japan, U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin are scheduled to visit Korea on the 17th and sit at the negotiation table with Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Defense Minister Seo Wook.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.