<기사제목>Deputy Foreign Minister: "US Confirms Full Military Mobilization for Defense of South Korea"

On the 16th (local time), South Korea and the United States held the 3rd Korea-US High-Level Extended Deterrence Strategy Committee (EDSCG) meeting at the U.S. Department of State building in Washington D.C. From left: Bonnie Jenkins, U.S. Department of State Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security; Shin Beom-chul, Vice Minister of Defense of South Korea; Cho Hyun-dong, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea; Colin Kahl, U.S. Department of Defense Under Secretary for Policy.
(Photo by Ministry of National Defense)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho, Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu] Cho Hyun-dong, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated, "We have confirmed the United States' strengthened and modernized extended deterrence commitment."

After concluding the Korea-US Extended Deterrence Strategy Committee (EDSCG) meeting, which was reactivated after five years, on the 16th (local time), Cho said at a press briefing with Washington correspondents, "The two countries share serious concerns about the severe situation on the Korean Peninsula due to North Korea's preparations for its 7th nuclear test and the legalization of nuclear weapons possession, and have agreed to respond overwhelmingly and decisively to any North Korean attacks, including tactical nuclear weapons."

He added, "The United States confirmed that it will mobilize all military capabilities, including nuclear, conventional, missile defense, and cutting-edge non-nuclear forces, to defend us," and "reviewed the alliance's extended deterrence posture across all fields, confirming that the alliance is prepared for any situation."

He particularly emphasized that the two countries "clearly stated they will respond unprecedentedly firmly and strongly in all domains if North Korea proceeds with a nuclear test."

Cho noted, "Regarding extended deterrence, we have institutionalized sustainable cooperation mechanisms by regularizing the EDSCG to be held annually and agreed to hold working-level consultations in the first half of next year," adding, "This effectively institutionalizes the diplomatic and defense cooperation system for extended deterrence."

He also mentioned that he and Defense Vice Minister Shin Beom-cheol met with Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, the previous day, saying, "At the White House level, we were able to confirm a firm extended deterrence commitment along with support for the EDSCG."

Defense Vice Minister Shin stated, "We confirmed that if North Korea uses nuclear weapons, it will face an overwhelming and decisive response regardless of the scale," and "The US promised to strengthen cooperation with Korea regarding the timely and efficient deployment of strategic assets in the region."

Shin explained, "The United States has pledged to provide extended deterrence by utilizing all military categories, including advanced non-nuclear capabilities such as space and cyber," adding, "This signifies progress in Korea-US cooperation in new fields like cyber and space."

The meeting lasted four and a half hours, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Attendees reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited during the meeting to encourage the delegation and reaffirm the commitment to extended deterrence.

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