Johyeondong-Sherman Meeting "Focused Discussion on Vision and Implementation of Global Comprehensive Alliance"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Cho Hyun-dong, First Vice Foreign Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on the 7th regarding the results of the Korea-US Vice Ministers' Meeting, “To fully implement the vision of the ‘Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance’ agreed upon by the two heads of state at last month’s Korea-US summit, we have decided to activate strategic communication at all levels between the two countries.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vice Minister Cho and Wendy Sherman, US Deputy Secretary of State, held close consultations for about two hours from the morning at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul, discussing issues such as North Korean denuclearization and economic and technological alliance cooperation measures. This face-to-face consultation between the two countries’ vice foreign ministers is the first since the new government took office.

This meeting, held about two weeks after the Korea-US summit, was a gathering of high-level diplomatic officials from both countries, focusing intensively on the implementation measures of the ‘Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance’ announced by the two heads of state.

To this end, the Korea-US governments agreed to continue close consultations at all levels, including ministerial and vice ministerial strategic dialogues, the foreign and security 2+2 ministerial talks, economic sector consultative bodies, and the reactivation of the extended deterrence strategy consultation body agreed upon at last month’s summit.

Previously, on the 21st of last month, President Yoon Suk-yeol and US President Joe Biden agreed at the Korea-US summit held in Seoul to expand the alliance from traditional security to economic security and responses to regional and global order.

In particular, on this day, the two vice ministers evaluated North Korea’s recent heightened missile provocations and the possibility of a nuclear test, focusing on related response measures.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Both sides strongly condemned North Korea’s recent military provocations, including ballistic missile launches, and agreed to firmly maintain a constant readiness posture while continuously strengthening extended deterrence and combined defense posture.

Deputy Secretary Sherman said, “The two vice ministers agreed on the need for a firm and united stance by the international community,” adding, “We will closely cooperate on future responses, including measures at the UN Security Council and General Assembly levels.”

Earlier, on the 5th, North Korea launched a volley of eight short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs). The following day, on the 6th, the Korea-US military authorities responded with a total of eight ground-to-ground missiles, ATACMS.

There is also analysis that North Korea’s 7th nuclear test is imminent. Regarding this, the US State Department stated in a briefing on the 6th (local time), “We are concerned that North Korea may conduct its 7th nuclear test soon,” and “There have been united discussions among allies on this issue.”

Additionally, the economic and technological alliance, which has emerged as a core keyword of the Korea-US alliance, was also a major agenda item. They exchanged views on building supply chains between the allies amid increasing global supply chain instability.

They also discussed strengthening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, which the US has recently been focusing on, in connection with South Korea’s participation in the IPEF.

Vice Minister Cho said, “We discussed concrete measures to deepen the Korea-US alliance,” and added, “Based on this, we will discuss ways to strengthen trilateral cooperation at the Korea-US-Japan Vice Foreign Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for the 8th.”

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