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Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's call with Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Han Min Koo

Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel called Republic of Korea Minister of National Defense Han Min Koo to discuss recent progress made in strengthening the ROK-U.S. alliance and improving deterrence against North Korean provocations and aggression.

Secretary Hagel noted that the ROK-U.S. Alliance has grown ever stronger based upon the shared interests and common values of both nations.

Secretary Hagel expressed appreciation regarding the recent signing of the Trilateral Information Sharing Arrangement Concerning the Nuclear and Missile Threats Posed by North Korea among the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, the Ministry of Defense of Japan, and the Department of Defense of the United States of America.

Secretary Hagel thanked Minister Han for his leadership, noting that this arrangement will be crucial to enhancing deterrence of North Korean nuclear and missile threats. Secretary Hagel further expressed his hope that the three nations are able to build upon current momentum in the years ahead.

Minister Han conveyed his support for U.S. initiatives to hold North Korea responsible for its recent cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment. Secretary Hagel thanked Minister Han for the strong cooperation and coordination the United States has received from the Republic of Korea in responding to this issue.

Secretary Hagel reiterated U.S. defense commitments to the Republic of Korea and highlighted the importance of the ROK-U.S. Alliance to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, in Asia, and worldwide.