U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meets with South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sub.

(AFP)

[Instant News/Comprehensive Report] The 54th US-ROK Security Consultative Conference (SCM) was held in Washington, DC on the 3rd local time. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sub led their senior officials to participate in the meeting.

In addition to discussing the North Korean issue, the two sides mentioned the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait for the second time this year.

The U.S. Department of Defense issued a press release stating that the U.S. side emphasizes the two countries’ commitment to promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as sharing U.S.-South Korea common values. The two countries will work together to strengthen the joint defense posture of the U.S.-South Korea Mutual Defense Treaty in response to North Korea's aggressive moves to maintain stability on the Korean peninsula.

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Austin expressed concern about North Korea's violation of the Comprehensive Military Agreement and called on the international community to hold North Korea accountable for its actions. The two countries also talked about the progress of North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile development, which they believe poses a challenge to the international community and threatens global security and stability.

Austin stressed that the United States will continue to use its full range of defense capabilities to help South Korea expand its deterrence.

Austin pointed out that any nuclear attack against the United States and its allies would be unacceptable and would lead to the end of the Kim regime.

Both the U.S. and South Korea agree on the need to intensify joint exercises and training activities, and assess that the Joint Command Post Exercise (CCPT) and Ulchi Freedom Shield Exercise (UFS) will contribute to maintaining joint readiness, which will continue bilaterally. Strengthen cooperation in both aspects of space and the Internet.

In addition, the United States and South Korea reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining maritime peace and stability, supporting lawful and unimpeded trade, and the legitimate rights to use waters such as the South China Sea. The two sides also affirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.