[Full Text] Joint Statement of the 54th ROK-US Security Consultative Meeting

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu] On the 3rd (local time), Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop of South Korea and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held the 54th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, USA, and issued a joint statement consisting of 19 articles.

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin attended the opening ceremony at the Pentagon entrance on the 3rd (local time) before the 54th SCM, saluting the national flags. The Ministry of Defense provided the photo. In the joint statement, South Korea and the U.S. declared, "We will further strengthen the alliance's capabilities, information sharing, consultation procedures, joint planning, and execution to deter and respond to North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats." They further emphasized, "The U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to timely and coordinated deployment of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula as necessary, expanding measures to counter destabilizing North Korean actions, and seeking new measures to enhance deterrence." The statement also included that "Secretary Austin warned that any nuclear attack, including non-strategic (tactical) nuclear weapons, against the U.S., its allies, or partners would not be tolerated and would bring about the end of the Kim Jong-un regime."

The following is the full text of the joint statement from the 54th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM).

1. The 54th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) was held on November 3, 2022, in Washington D.C. The meeting was co-chaired by South Korean Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, with senior defense and diplomatic officials from both countries in attendance. Prior to this meeting, on October 19, 2022, South Korean Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Kim Seung-gyeom and U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley presided over the 47th Military Committee Meeting (MCM).

2. The two ministers reaffirmed the shared vision of a global comprehensive strategic alliance reflected in the May 2022 South Korea-U.S. summit held in Seoul. They emphasized their commitment to promoting democratic norms, human rights, and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region. They also agreed that the ROK-U.S. alliance is based on mutual trust, freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, sharing the same principles and values.

The ministers assessed the ROK-U.S. alliance as strong and reaffirmed their mutual commitments to the combined defense posture as agreed under the Mutual Defense Treaty to defend the Republic of Korea. They agreed to continuously strengthen the alliance to maintain defense and response readiness against North Korean aggression and to uphold stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.

The ministers expressed that the SCM has played a pivotal role in the continuous development of the ROK-U.S. alliance and will continue to serve as a key consultative body for discussing and confirming national-level commitments. Both sides agreed to further develop the ROK-U.S. alliance, the cornerstone of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region, into a deep and comprehensive strategic relationship.

They noted that 2023 marks the 70th anniversary of the ROK-U.S. alliance and agreed to hold various joint events to evaluate the alliance's value and build a support base for its future development.

3. The ministers reviewed the recent security environment on the Korean Peninsula and in the region and discussed cooperation measures. Minister Lee expressed concern over North Korea's repeated violations of the "September 19 Military Agreement," including multiple rocket launcher firings. The ministers strongly condemned North Korea's provocative acts such as ballistic missile tests, multiple rocket launcher and coastal artillery firings, and violations of UN Security Council resolutions, urging the international community to hold North Korea accountable. They also expressed concern about North Korea's nuclear and missile development efforts and threats to use tactical nuclear weapons, assessing these actions as serious challenges to the international community and grave threats to regional and global security and stability. Secretary Austin reaffirmed the U.S.'s firm commitment to extended deterrence for the Republic of Korea by operating military capabilities across all categories, including nuclear, conventional, missile defense, and advanced non-nuclear capabilities, expressing concern over North Korea's attempts to develop various nuclear weapons and delivery systems. He warned that any nuclear attack, including non-strategic (tactical) nuclear weapons, against the U.S., its allies, or partners would not be tolerated and would bring about the end of the Kim Jong-un regime. The ministers agreed to further enhance alliance capabilities, information sharing, consultation procedures, joint planning, and execution to deter and respond to North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats. They reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to timely and coordinated deployment of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula as necessary, expanding measures to counter destabilizing North Korean actions and seeking new measures to strengthen deterrence.

The ministers evaluated that bilateral consultative bodies such as the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD), Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG), and Deterrence Strategy Committee (DSC) have contributed to strengthening the alliance's combined deterrence posture. They agreed to closely consult to explore enhanced extended deterrence measures through these consultative bodies.

The ministers assessed progress in revising the Tailored Deterrence Strategy (TDS) being conducted by the Deterrence Strategy Committee (DSC). Through the TDS revision, the ROK and U.S. will establish a framework to effectively deter and respond to North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats. They recommended achieving significant progress in the DSC to complete the TDS revision before the 55th SCM. They also agreed to hold annual extended deterrence operational exercises (DSC TTX) simulating North Korea's nuclear use scenarios to respond to recent changes in North Korea's nuclear strategy and capabilities. The ministers agreed on the importance of focusing efforts to deter North Korea's nuclear use and to explore new ways to demonstrate the alliance's will and capabilities. They also expressed determination to maintain close alliance coordination, including strategic communication, to effectively respond to any North Korean provocations.

The ministers closely consulted on policies to effectively deter and respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, including the U.S. Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), Missile Defense Review (MDR), and South Korea's enhancement of the "Korean-style 3-axis system." They noted efforts to strengthen the alliance's missile response capabilities and posture, including establishing the Korea-U.S. Counter-Missile Working Group (CMWG) under the DSC and reactivating the Program Analysis Working Group for the ROK-U.S. Missile Defense (PAWG).

4. Both sides agreed to continue cooperation to induce North Korea to choose denuclearization and a brighter future and to achieve complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Secretary Austin welcomed South Korea's "Bold Initiative" as a useful approach to lead North Korea toward denuclearization. The ministers emphasized the importance of resuming diplomacy and dialogue and urged all members of the international community, including North Korea, to fully implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions. They also urged North Korea to comply with its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions and existing commitments and agreements. They recalled that next year marks the 70th anniversary of the Armistice Agreement and agreed on the need for unified international efforts to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. The ministers agreed on the necessity for North and South Korea to sincerely comply with the Armistice Agreement and existing agreements to reduce military tensions and build trust. Minister Lee conveyed South Korea's position that the Northern Limit Line (NLL) effectively separates military forces and prevents military tensions between the two Koreas. The ministers expressed support for diplomatic efforts as the most desirable solution and reaffirmed their commitment to closely cooperate to achieve this, agreeing that such diplomatic efforts must be backed by a strong and reliable combined defense posture.

5. The ministers noted the critical role the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has played over the past 69 years in preventing armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula and promoting peace and stability in Northeast Asia, reaffirming that USFK will continue to play an important role.

Secretary Austin mentioned that the Indo-Pacific region is the U.S. Department of Defense's top priority theater and reaffirmed the U.S.'s ironclad commitment to the combined defense of the Republic of Korea, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to maintaining the current force level of USFK to defend South Korea. He highlighted that the increased frequency and intensity of U.S. strategic asset deployments in line with the joint commitment by the presidents of both countries to expand rotational deployments of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula are visible evidence of the U.S.'s commitment to South Korea's defense.

Additionally, Ministers Lee and Austin reaffirmed the role of the United Nations Command (UNC) in compliance with and implementation of the Armistice Agreement and multinational contributions for South Korea's security. They confirmed that the UNC has successfully maintained peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula for over 70 years and will continue to perform its missions and tasks while fully respecting South Korea's sovereignty.

The ministers appreciated South Korea's efforts to establish stable conditions for the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery at Camp Carroll. They agreed to continue close cooperation to normalize routine and free access to the THAAD base.

6. The ministers received a report from General Paul LaCamera, Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, on the results of the Military Committee Meeting (MCM). Based on this, they agreed to promote combined defense capabilities against North Korean threats, strengthen nuclear and WMD deterrence and response postures, ensure systematic and stable wartime operational control (OPCON) transition, and update related operational plans. They also assessed significant progress in effectively responding to various security challenges arising from changes in the strategic environment.

7. Considering the security environment following North Korea's recent missile tests, the ministers agreed on the need to expand combined exercises and training to strengthen preparedness against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. They evaluated that the first half of 2022's combined command post exercises and Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercises contributed to maintaining the combined defense posture, noting that the UFS exercise restored a realistic theater-level combined exercise system. They also assessed that the combined field training exercises conducted intensively in connection with the UFS operational plan enhanced the ROK-U.S. combined defense and military readiness. The ministers noted that defensive and deterrence-oriented training is a key element in maintaining alliance readiness and agreed to closely cooperate to resume large-scale combined field training exercises linked with combined exercises in 2023. Both sides evaluated that the ROK-U.S. alliance must continuously focus on combat readiness and combined defense posture to respond to dynamic changes on the Korean Peninsula.

8. The ministers emphasized that continuous training conditions for USFK are essential to maintaining a strong combined defense posture. Secretary Austin appreciated South Korea's efforts to improve combined training conditions, and the ministers agreed to closely cooperate for further progress. They agreed on the importance of communication and cooperation between the South Korean Ministry of National Defense and USFK in the process of jointly using South Korean facilities and airspace for training necessary to maintain an effective combined defense posture. They also evaluated South Korea's plan to establish a combined joint multipurpose live-fire range as a long-term strategic approach that can dramatically improve training conditions for both countries and agreed on the need for prompt efforts to establish the range.

9. The ministers assessed that the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, the symbol of the ROK-U.S. alliance and the core of the combined defense system, has played a pivotal role in deterring war and defending South Korea since its establishment in 1978. They expressed expectations that the relocation of the Combined Forces Command headquarters will contribute to a stable wartime OPCON transition in accordance with the Combined Defense Guidelines and the Conditions-Based OPCON Transition Plan (COTP). They also agreed to cooperate to enable the Combined Forces Command to build a strong combined defense posture based on enhanced alliance spirit and operational capabilities at its new home at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, the cradle of the new alliance.

10. The ministers assessed significant progress in meeting the conditions for OPCON transition. After reviewing the progress of implementation tasks specified in the Conditions-Based OPCON Transition Plan (COTP), they discussed future directions for OPCON transition to the future combined command. They reaffirmed that the conditions specified in the mutually agreed COTP must be met before wartime operational control is transferred to the future combined command.

The ministers highly evaluated progress in completing the eight annexes of the COTP and approved the completed annexes, including appendices and attachments proposed by the 22-2 Standing Military Committee on COTP. They noted that the Full Operational Capability (FOC) evaluation of the future combined command was successfully conducted, with all evaluation tasks meeting standards. Before discussions on FOC verification, they agreed to complete a joint ROK-U.S. evaluation of capabilities and systems for Conditions #1 and #2 and comprehensively review the status of securing mutually agreed levels of capabilities and systems. They also confirmed the progress of joint evaluation of South Korea's core military capabilities and the alliance's comprehensive capabilities to respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, assessing significant progress in meeting transition conditions. Minister Lee reaffirmed his commitment to systematically and steadily pursue efforts to meet conditions while continuing to enhance South Korea's defense capabilities necessary to lead future combined defense.

The ministers agreed to complete follow-up management of complementary and sustainable capabilities within the operational planning process. They also agreed to closely cooperate to develop comprehensive and interoperable alliance capabilities. Both sides agreed to periodically evaluate and review the implementation status of OPCON transition through annual SCM and MCM meetings to ensure the combined defense system remains solid.

11. The ministers agreed to continuously strengthen cooperation in various fields such as space and cyber to ensure effective joint responses to emerging threats and enhance the alliance's comprehensive response capabilities. They confirmed the efforts of both countries' defense authorities to improve the security of critical infrastructure such as information and space systems. They highly evaluated the achievements of the ROK-U.S. Defense Space Working Group (SCWG) and agreed to explore ways to strengthen space cooperation based on the joint study agreement on space policy. Both sides agreed to seek additional cooperation measures to enhance the alliance's space capabilities, including space situational awareness information-sharing systems, and to expand bilateral and multilateral combined exercises and training such as space cooperation tabletop exercises (TTX). Considering the increasing scope of cyber security threats, the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen alliance cyber cooperation. They highlighted the achievements of the Cyber Policy Working Group (CCWG) held in May 2022 and agreed to enhance combined response cooperation, hold bilateral cyber exercises and training, and expand close communication and coordination in the cyber domain, including information security requirements.

12. The ministers agreed on the need to strengthen the alliance's defense capabilities and establish more efficient and effective cooperation in the development, acquisition, and operation of these capabilities. They noted the importance of expanding and deepening cooperation in defense research and development, industrial cooperation, weapons system acquisition, logistics, and operations and maintenance, focusing on enhancing the ROK-U.S. alliance's defense capabilities and interoperability.

13. The ministers agreed to continue exchanges between ROK-U.S. working groups covering defense research and development, industrial cooperation, military force construction and acquisition, logistics, and technology protection, recognizing the need to advance alliance priorities in force enhancement, interoperability, acquisition, and operations and maintenance. They reaffirmed their commitment to evaluate and develop bilateral working groups to improve the efficiency and timeliness of defense industry and research and development cooperation.

14. The ministers reaffirmed that ROK-U.S. scientific and technological cooperation is expanding in various fields such as space, quantum technology, sensors/electronic warfare, cyber defense, artificial intelligence, autonomous technologies, and directed energy. They also agreed to explore cooperation in 5G and next-generation mobile communications (6G). Both sides assessed that such cooperation is continuously developing in a way that promotes the shared interests of both countries. The ministers agreed to seek and deepen cooperation through regular working groups supporting these fields and to cooperate in continuously reforming these groups to strengthen their linkage with alliance policies and strategies.

15. The ministers agreed that the ROK-U.S. alliance plays a key role in the security, stability, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region. Considering the complex regional and global security environment, they agreed to continue enhancing defense and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and the international community to more effectively respond to regional and global security challenges. In this context, the ministers agreed to explore cooperation between South Korea's Indo-Pacific strategic framework and the U.S.'s Free and Open Indo-Pacific initiative.

The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to respect international law, including maintaining peace and stability, lawful and unimpeded commerce, freedom of navigation and overflight, and lawful use of the seas in all waters, including the South China Sea and its adjacent areas, and agreed to further cooperate to this end. They also confirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as reflected in the joint statement of the May 2022 summit between President Yoon Suk-yeol and President Biden and reaffirmed support for ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led regional architecture.

The ministers agreed on the need to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law domestically and internationally and reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing cooperation for regional peace, stability, and prosperity, including counter-piracy operations, stabilization and reconstruction, regional security cooperation initiatives, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.

16. The ministers agreed to seek synergy effects of regional strategies between South Korea and the U.S. to maintain peace and security in Northeast Asia through trilateral and multilateral cooperation. They agreed to continue trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan through information sharing, high-level policy consultations, trilateral exercises, and personnel exchanges. They especially agreed to continue missile warning exercises and anti-submarine warfare exercises that contribute to strengthening the trilateral response posture against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. Furthermore, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continuously enhance and expand trilateral security cooperation through regular security meetings such as the ROK-U.S.-Japan Defense Trilateral Talks (DTT).

17. The ministers confirmed the ongoing need for sanctions monitoring missions in the region amid North Korea's continued development of nuclear and missile programs and welcomed multinational efforts against proliferation activities ongoing in the region. Secretary Austin expressed appreciation for South Korea's contributions to various global security cooperation initiatives, including the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). The ministers agreed on the importance of maintaining and fully implementing all relevant UN Security Council resolutions. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation to counter North Korea's existing sanctions evasion tactics and illicit cyber activities and agreed to explore additional measures to respond to North Korea's WMD threats. They also agreed to continue strengthening cooperation to enhance WMD response capabilities through the ROK-U.S. Committee on Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMDC) and the U.S. Department of Defense's Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) program. The ministers highly evaluated the achievements of the CWMDC over the past year in preventing North Korea's acquisition and use of WMDs and reducing WMD threats to strengthen the alliance's combined response capabilities.

18. Additionally, the ministers evaluated that the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) has significantly contributed to strengthening the ROK-U.S. combined defense posture.

19. Ministers Lee Jong-seop and Lloyd Austin expressed gratitude for the hospitality, warm welcome, and excellent preparations by both countries for the successful hosting of this SCM. They confirmed that discussions at the 54th SCM and 47th MCM have substantively strengthened the ROK-U.S. alliance and contributed to the development of defense relations into a global comprehensive strategic alliance. Both sides agreed to hold the 55th SCM and 48th MCM in Seoul at a mutually convenient time in 2023.

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