I would like to join Under Secretary Jenkins in extending a warm welcome to Vice Minister Shin and Vice Minister Cho to Washington. Thank you both for joining us here.
The United States – Republic of Korea Alliance is the foundation of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the broader Indo-Pacific region. And it remains one of the most robust, interoperable, and capable Alliances in the world.
As President Biden has said, the U.S. commitment to the ROK is ironclad. We will continue to demonstrate our unwavering commitment, and today’s Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group, or EDSCG, will further strengthen the deterrence posture of our Alliance.
We are focused on the threat posed by North Korea, which continues to develop its nuclear weapons and missile program in violation of international law.
The U.S. will stand firm in its extended deterrence commitment to the ROK, which includes the full range of U.S. defense capabilities, including nuclear, conventional, and missile defense capabilities.
So I am looking forward to a comprehensive discussion today on our deterrence posture against potential aggression from North Korea, as it relates to all elements of our countries’ national power, including diplomatic, informational, military, and economic tools.
And I welcome discussion of how the U.S.-ROK Alliance can strengthen our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Vice Minister Shin and Vice Minister Cho, thank you again for being here today. And thanks for your enduring commitment to our Alliance. I’m looking forward to a great discussion.