Top U.S. and South Korean defense officials recently met at the Pentagon for the 56th U.S.-Republic of Korea Security Consultative Meeting to discuss deepening military cooperation and countering North Korea’s support of Russia. They outlined plans to co-modernize weapons arsenals, promote regional security efforts, and establish a Defense Science and Technology Executive Committee. This committee will focus on defense innovation, including autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies.
The officials also discussed upgrading early warning systems and missile defense capabilities to address missile threats from North Korea. The meeting occurred amid concerns about North Korea’s deployment of soldiers to support Russia in the Ukraine conflict. They raised alarms about the potential transfer of technology to North Korea in exchange for their military support.
South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun condemned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for endangering his troops and engaging in potential war crimes. While the threat of North Korea interfering in the U.S. presidential election was discussed, it was not viewed as a major concern at present.
The meeting concluded with plans for a “2+2” foreign and defense ministers meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul. Overall, the discussions emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea to address regional security challenges and deter potential threats from North Korea.
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