US Secretary of Defense Explains 'Dogeamcheong Suspicion' Over Phone

by Yang Nakgyu

Published 11 Apr.2023 09:25(KST)

Phone Call Between Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop and Secretary Austin at Austin's Request

On the morning of the 11th, Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held a phone call to discuss the recent allegations of wiretapping involving senior officials in the U.S. presidential office.

Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense, currently on a visit to Korea, and Lee Jong-seop, Minister of National Defense, are receiving an honor guard review at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 31st, ahead of the Korea-U.S. Defense Ministers' Meeting. Photo by Joint Press Corps

According to the Ministry of National Defense, during the call, Secretary Austin explained the situation regarding media reports on the leak of U.S. military secrets and mentioned that the U.S. would maintain close communication with the South Korean government and fully cooperate on this matter. The call was made at Secretary Austin's request.

The two ministers agreed that the solidarity of the South Korea-U.S. alliance is stronger than ever, and the Ministry of National Defense explained that they decided to work together to ensure the alliance can make a leap forward through various commemorative projects planned for the 70th anniversary of the South Korea-U.S. alliance this year.

Major U.S. media outlets, including The New York Times (NYT), have continued reporting that classified U.S. government documents analyzing the situation in Ukraine have been leaked online. These documents reportedly include conversations presumed to involve senior officials from South Korea's National Security Office deliberating on ways to provide artillery shells to Ukraine.