WEBVTT 00:01.070 --> 00:03.014 Well , good afternoon , everyone . 00:03.014 --> 00:05.014 Welcome to the State Department . I 00:05.014 --> 00:07.126 want to begin by thanking our friends 00:07.126 --> 00:09.014 and colleagues for Mr Cho Defense 00:09.014 --> 00:11.070 Minister Kim for their partnership , 00:11.070 --> 00:13.250 for their friendship and for the very 00:13.260 --> 00:15.800 good discussions we had today . And as 00:15.810 --> 00:17.870 always , it's great to be with my 00:17.879 --> 00:19.768 friend , my colleague , Secretary 00:19.768 --> 00:23.750 Austin in 2021 the two of us made our 00:23.760 --> 00:26.399 first foreign trip together and we 00:26.409 --> 00:28.520 visited Seoul as well as Japan . This 00:28.530 --> 00:30.989 was our first overseas trip . Uh and 00:31.000 --> 00:33.150 the first two plus two of this 00:33.159 --> 00:35.639 administration , I just got back from 00:35.650 --> 00:37.919 another trip to the Indo Pacific a 00:37.930 --> 00:39.874 couple of weeks ago , which by our 00:39.874 --> 00:41.930 count was my 20th trip to the region 00:42.090 --> 00:44.368 since the start of this administration . 00:44.840 --> 00:47.569 But with the Republic of Korea over the 00:47.580 --> 00:50.119 last three and 3.5 years , we've 00:50.130 --> 00:52.019 strengthened our alliance . We've 00:52.019 --> 00:54.209 modernized our alliance , an alliance 00:54.220 --> 00:56.569 that for seven decades has advanced 00:56.580 --> 00:59.590 peace , prosperity and stability on the 00:59.599 --> 01:01.869 Korean Peninsula in the Indo Pacific 01:02.169 --> 01:04.900 and increasingly around the world . 01:05.930 --> 01:08.152 Today , we have an opportunity to build 01:08.152 --> 01:10.208 on that progress and to also lay the 01:10.208 --> 01:12.319 groundwork to ensure that we continue 01:12.319 --> 01:14.430 delivering shared security and shared 01:14.430 --> 01:16.970 opportunity for our people in the years 01:16.980 --> 01:20.760 to come . No one of the 01:20.769 --> 01:22.825 things that we emphasize today was a 01:22.825 --> 01:24.769 reaffirmation of the United States 01:24.769 --> 01:27.900 ironclad commitment to the rok security 01:28.250 --> 01:30.194 and that includes through extended 01:30.194 --> 01:33.019 deterrence that's especially important 01:33.029 --> 01:35.085 in light of the ongoing provocations 01:35.430 --> 01:37.430 coming from North Korea , including 01:37.480 --> 01:40.180 another ICBM launch just yesterday . 01:41.370 --> 01:43.559 We condemn it in the strongest terms . 01:43.790 --> 01:47.230 The latest launch of many and other 01:47.410 --> 01:49.410 provocative actions that it's taken 01:49.410 --> 01:52.190 flagrant violations , all of multiple 01:52.199 --> 01:55.139 Un Security Council resolutions , all 01:55.150 --> 01:57.620 countries should be demanding that the 01:57.629 --> 02:00.580 DPRK cease these destabilizing actions . 02:01.589 --> 02:03.533 We are closely consulting with our 02:03.533 --> 02:06.110 partners and also with Japan . In fact , 02:06.379 --> 02:08.490 Farm , Mr Cho and I were on the phone 02:08.490 --> 02:10.546 early this morning with our Japanese 02:10.546 --> 02:12.323 counterpart . Uh and we will be 02:12.323 --> 02:14.379 focusing as always on this in the in 02:14.379 --> 02:16.580 the days to come , including the 02:16.589 --> 02:18.422 actions we'll take in response . 02:20.300 --> 02:22.479 All of this reinforces why we have to 02:22.490 --> 02:24.830 remain focused on maintaining peace and 02:24.839 --> 02:26.895 stability in the Indo Pacific and on 02:26.895 --> 02:29.061 the Korean Peninsula , in particular , 02:29.061 --> 02:31.228 even as we work with European partners 02:31.228 --> 02:33.172 to respond to the dprk's deepening 02:33.172 --> 02:36.059 security relationship with Russia . We 02:36.070 --> 02:38.690 now assess that there are some 10,000 02:38.699 --> 02:41.020 North Korean soldiers in total in 02:41.029 --> 02:43.399 Russia . And the most recent 02:43.410 --> 02:45.860 information indicates that as many as 02:45.869 --> 02:48.990 8000 of those North Korean forces have 02:49.000 --> 02:50.944 been deployed to the Kirk region . 02:51.949 --> 02:54.429 We've not yet seen these troops deploy 02:54.440 --> 02:56.779 into combat against Ukrainian forces , 02:57.100 --> 02:59.211 but we would expect that to happen in 02:59.211 --> 03:01.350 the coming days . Russia has been 03:01.360 --> 03:03.990 training DPRK soldiers in artillery 03:05.190 --> 03:07.470 uavs , basic infantry operations 03:07.500 --> 03:09.800 including trench clearing . Indicating 03:09.809 --> 03:11.809 that they fully intend to use these 03:11.809 --> 03:14.050 forces in front line operations . 03:14.940 --> 03:18.000 Should these troops engage in combat or 03:18.009 --> 03:19.898 combat support operations against 03:19.898 --> 03:22.160 Ukraine ? They would become legitimate 03:22.169 --> 03:25.169 military targets . Now , 03:26.059 --> 03:28.880 one of the reasons that Russia is 03:28.889 --> 03:31.669 turning to these North Korean troops is 03:31.679 --> 03:35.279 that it's desperate . Putin has been 03:35.289 --> 03:37.456 throwing more and more Russians into a 03:37.456 --> 03:39.345 meat grinder of his own making in 03:39.345 --> 03:41.559 Ukraine . Now he's turning to North 03:41.570 --> 03:44.110 Korean troops and that is a clear sign 03:44.119 --> 03:46.800 of weakness . Russia has been suffering 03:46.820 --> 03:50.740 some 1200 casualties a day in the East 03:50.960 --> 03:53.127 more than at any other time during the 03:53.127 --> 03:55.589 war . And with the deployment of these 03:55.600 --> 03:58.610 North Korean troops to Russia and now 03:58.619 --> 04:01.000 to the front lines , this is the first 04:01.009 --> 04:02.898 time in 100 years that Russia has 04:02.898 --> 04:05.231 invited foreign troops into its country . 04:07.229 --> 04:09.340 Our two sides today discussed a range 04:09.340 --> 04:11.173 of options in response and we're 04:11.173 --> 04:13.229 closely coordinating with allies and 04:13.229 --> 04:15.285 partners , particularly our European 04:15.285 --> 04:17.340 partners . We're continuing to serve 04:17.340 --> 04:19.507 security assistance to Ukraine for the 04:19.507 --> 04:21.618 United States and we'll announce more 04:21.618 --> 04:24.600 in the coming days what we're also 04:24.609 --> 04:27.059 seeing underscores the 04:28.230 --> 04:30.929 indivisibility of security between the 04:31.049 --> 04:33.450 Indo Pacific and Euro Atlantic theaters . 04:33.739 --> 04:36.459 Something that is clearer and clearer 04:36.470 --> 04:38.526 to all of our allies and partners in 04:38.526 --> 04:40.890 both Europe and the Indo Pacific . It's 04:40.899 --> 04:42.843 reflected in South Korea's growing 04:42.843 --> 04:44.899 partnership with NATO as well as its 04:44.899 --> 04:46.609 support for Ukraine providing 04:46.619 --> 04:48.675 generators humanitarian assistance . 04:49.089 --> 04:51.309 And we've discussed what more the 04:51.320 --> 04:53.598 Republic of Korea may do in the future . 04:53.598 --> 04:55.653 But in all of the conversations that 04:55.653 --> 04:57.820 I've been having with partners in both 04:57.820 --> 04:59.376 Europe and the Indo Pacific 04:59.376 --> 05:02.089 increasingly , we see a focus on the 05:02.100 --> 05:04.899 indivisibility of the security with 05:04.910 --> 05:07.132 regard to China . We discussed the need 05:07.132 --> 05:09.243 to responsibly manage our competition 05:09.243 --> 05:11.354 with the People's Republic of China . 05:11.354 --> 05:13.989 We agreed that China should do more to 05:14.000 --> 05:16.920 curb the dprk's provocative actions and 05:17.109 --> 05:19.165 to stop support for Russia's defense 05:19.165 --> 05:21.165 industrial base which is helping to 05:21.165 --> 05:23.959 perpetuate the conflict and the 05:23.970 --> 05:26.829 aggression by Russia and Ukraine in the 05:26.839 --> 05:28.869 face of China's unlawful maritime 05:28.880 --> 05:30.936 claims . Since Tao China achieves we 05:30.936 --> 05:33.047 remain committed to upholding freedom 05:33.047 --> 05:35.380 of navigation and freedom of overflight . 05:35.480 --> 05:37.591 We also underscored the importance of 05:37.591 --> 05:39.758 maintaining peace and stability across 05:39.758 --> 05:42.029 the Taiwan Strait . Even as we address 05:42.040 --> 05:44.339 the security challenges , we're also 05:44.350 --> 05:47.019 working together to expand our economic 05:47.029 --> 05:48.918 cooper operation in ways that are 05:48.918 --> 05:50.751 having clear direct and powerful 05:50.751 --> 05:52.696 benefits for people in both of our 05:52.696 --> 05:54.510 countries . South Korea is now 05:54.700 --> 05:57.519 America's number one source of foreign 05:57.529 --> 06:01.230 direct investment and this is really 06:01.239 --> 06:03.869 worth reflecting on because foreign 06:03.880 --> 06:05.769 direct investment may be the best 06:05.769 --> 06:07.991 measure of trust and confidence because 06:08.000 --> 06:10.222 you don't make these investments unless 06:10.230 --> 06:12.063 you believe in the future of the 06:12.063 --> 06:13.786 country that you're making the 06:13.786 --> 06:16.019 investments in . So it's a powerful 06:16.029 --> 06:17.973 gauge of the confidence that South 06:17.973 --> 06:21.679 Korea has in the United States and more 06:21.690 --> 06:23.468 broadly , we are the number one 06:23.468 --> 06:25.634 recipient of foreign direct investment 06:25.634 --> 06:28.010 in the world . Again , a very powerful 06:28.019 --> 06:30.079 indicator the way the world sees the 06:30.089 --> 06:32.989 United States . Thanks to the Chips and 06:33.000 --> 06:35.600 Science Act . Uh Thanks to the Ira . 06:35.940 --> 06:38.829 Since 2021 Korea's companies have 06:38.839 --> 06:42.000 pledged to invest $140 billion in the 06:42.010 --> 06:44.420 United States and that will help create 06:44.429 --> 06:47.510 some 100,000 jobs and those jobs will 06:47.519 --> 06:49.575 be in the industries of the future . 06:50.179 --> 06:52.940 We're now uh Korea's second largest 06:52.950 --> 06:56.070 investor together , we're advancing a 06:56.079 --> 06:58.079 shared economic vision for the Indo 06:58.079 --> 07:00.135 Pacific and actually for the world , 07:01.269 --> 07:03.679 these goals are bolstered by growing 07:03.690 --> 07:05.634 trilateral co-operation with Japan 07:05.634 --> 07:07.634 building on the historic camp David 07:07.634 --> 07:09.801 Southern that President Biden convened 07:09.801 --> 07:11.801 and hosted . And we look forward to 07:11.801 --> 07:13.746 another trilateral summit . At the 07:13.746 --> 07:16.089 earliest opportunity I mentioned at the 07:16.100 --> 07:19.239 start that Korea is increasingly 07:20.179 --> 07:22.179 a powerful and consequential leader 07:22.429 --> 07:24.910 around the world , a global pivotal 07:24.920 --> 07:27.459 state . It hosted the Summit for 07:27.470 --> 07:29.700 Democracy in March . We look forward to 07:29.709 --> 07:32.640 Korea hosting APEC next year . And 07:32.660 --> 07:35.470 together we are working to uphold the 07:35.480 --> 07:37.640 rules based international order , the 07:37.649 --> 07:39.871 UN right now . And the Security Council 07:39.871 --> 07:43.359 where Korea is a member , our alliance 07:43.700 --> 07:45.922 is continuing to do what it does best , 07:45.922 --> 07:48.033 which is deliver real results for our 07:48.033 --> 07:50.089 people , real benefits for Americans 07:50.089 --> 07:52.144 and for Koreans . And we're grateful 07:52.144 --> 07:54.311 for the strong bipartisan support that 07:54.311 --> 07:56.533 we enjoy in Congress for the alliance . 07:56.533 --> 07:58.700 President Yun has said that the United 07:58.700 --> 08:00.867 States and Korea are marching together 08:00.867 --> 08:03.033 toward the future today . It's another 08:03.033 --> 08:05.256 reflection of the work that we're doing 08:05.256 --> 08:07.422 together , the fact that we are joined 08:07.422 --> 08:09.478 together in building a better , more 08:09.478 --> 08:11.700 secure , more prosperous future for all 08:11.700 --> 08:15.260 of our people . Thank you , Lloyd Mr Mr 08:15.320 --> 08:17.376 C . You're right . Thank you . Thank 08:17.376 --> 08:16.779 you . 08:22.190 --> 08:24.301 Well , first of all , I would like to 08:24.301 --> 08:26.023 extend my sincere gratitude to 08:26.023 --> 08:28.510 secretaries , Lincoln and Austin for co 08:28.609 --> 08:31.429 hosting the Sixth Rock Us Foreign and 08:31.440 --> 08:33.440 Defense Ministers meeting today and 08:33.440 --> 08:35.662 warmly welcoming the current delegation 08:35.662 --> 08:37.273 in this time of geopolitical 08:37.273 --> 08:39.162 transformation where regional and 08:39.162 --> 08:40.996 global security threats are ever 08:40.996 --> 08:43.010 increasing , causing brief security 08:43.020 --> 08:45.242 landscape . Our two nations foreign and 08:45.242 --> 08:47.298 defense ministers have come together 08:47.298 --> 08:49.464 and discussed the joint response which 08:49.464 --> 08:51.631 was an extremely meaningful and timely 08:51.631 --> 08:53.576 endeavor . In today's meeting , we 08:53.576 --> 08:55.742 addressed the Korean Peninsula matters 08:55.742 --> 08:57.964 with to strengthen the alliance as well 08:57.964 --> 09:00.187 as regional and global issues by having 09:00.187 --> 09:02.353 comprehensive and in depth discussions 09:02.353 --> 09:04.353 based on which we agreed on a joint 09:04.353 --> 09:07.030 statement . The D Pr K troops dispatch 09:07.039 --> 09:09.179 included its military cooper with 09:09.190 --> 09:11.340 Russia is a clear violation of the Un 09:11.349 --> 09:12.960 Security Council resolutions 09:13.090 --> 09:15.229 reaffirming this . We condemned it in 09:15.239 --> 09:17.630 the strongest possible and called for 09:17.640 --> 09:20.119 an immediate stop to such dispatch and 09:20.130 --> 09:23.190 all other illegal military cooper . The 09:23.200 --> 09:25.359 D Pr K's troop dispatch will further 09:25.369 --> 09:27.349 prolong Russia's illegal war of 09:27.359 --> 09:29.549 aggression against Ukraine and place 09:29.559 --> 09:31.726 not only the Korean Peninsula but also 09:31.726 --> 09:33.726 Europe's peace and security under a 09:33.726 --> 09:36.140 grave threat . A view that we share 09:36.150 --> 09:37.969 going forward based on close 09:37.979 --> 09:40.090 information sharing and coordinations 09:40.090 --> 09:42.890 as circumstances evolve . We agreed to 09:42.900 --> 09:45.233 take the necessary measures accordingly . 09:45.233 --> 09:47.359 We reaffirmed the goal of complete 09:47.369 --> 09:50.020 denuclearization of the D Pr K . Its 09:50.030 --> 09:52.119 ongoing illegal missile provocations 09:52.130 --> 09:54.320 and nuclear and W MD development were 09:54.330 --> 09:57.630 strongly condemned , especially the D 09:57.640 --> 10:00.190 Pr Ks launch of a long range missile . 10:00.200 --> 10:03.429 Yesterday was a grave violation of the 10:03.440 --> 10:05.780 Un Security Council resolutions and a 10:05.789 --> 10:07.956 threat to the Korean Peninsula and the 10:07.956 --> 10:10.679 world to address the D Pr case , 10:10.690 --> 10:13.250 habitual violations of the U Security 10:13.260 --> 10:15.371 Council resolutions and ensure strong 10:15.371 --> 10:17.316 and effective enforcement of North 10:17.316 --> 10:19.427 Korean sanctions . We are resolved to 10:19.427 --> 10:21.316 continue our partnership with the 10:21.316 --> 10:23.427 international community to ensure its 10:23.427 --> 10:25.593 nuclear and missile development become 10:25.593 --> 10:28.340 not a strategic , as said , uh but a 10:28.349 --> 10:30.770 liability to the D Pr K active 10:30.780 --> 10:32.836 diplomatic endeavors will be made to 10:32.836 --> 10:35.229 this end . And also our two countries 10:35.239 --> 10:37.350 welcome the launch of a new mechanism 10:37.350 --> 10:39.109 to monitor the UN sc sanctions 10:39.119 --> 10:41.450 implementation against the D Pr K . The 10:41.460 --> 10:43.859 multilateral sanctions monitoring team . 10:45.190 --> 10:47.412 We also had discussions on President Ye 10:47.412 --> 10:49.523 Chong Yang's August 15th in Education 10:49.523 --> 10:51.500 Doctrine and for his vision of 10:51.510 --> 10:53.288 realizing a free , peaceful and 10:53.288 --> 10:55.232 prosperous Korean Peninsula that's 10:55.232 --> 10:58.119 reunified the US reiterated its support . 10:58.130 --> 11:01.619 Last April president y stated to the US 11:01.630 --> 11:03.820 unveiled the historic Washington 11:03.830 --> 11:06.020 Declaration . Its follow up measures 11:06.030 --> 11:07.974 have further strengthened extended 11:07.974 --> 11:09.974 deterrence cooper based on which we 11:09.974 --> 11:12.030 also agreed to steadfastly develop a 11:12.030 --> 11:14.392 nuclear based alliance . The US 11:14.401 --> 11:16.345 reaffirmed its unwavering extended 11:16.345 --> 11:18.568 deterrence commitment to the rock . Any 11:18.568 --> 11:20.790 nuclear attacks on the rock by the D pr 11:20.790 --> 11:23.271 K will be met with a swift overwhelming 11:23.281 --> 11:25.225 and decisive response . We made it 11:25.225 --> 11:28.581 clear we confirmed that the Raw us 11:28.591 --> 11:30.758 mutual defense treaty extends to space 11:30.758 --> 11:32.651 and cyberspace domains as well . 11:33.354 --> 11:35.243 Deterrence in these areas will be 11:35.244 --> 11:37.814 further bolsters as we agreed . In 11:37.823 --> 11:39.883 addition , Cooper in defense science 11:39.893 --> 11:41.893 and technology , as well as defense 11:41.893 --> 11:44.060 industry will be further reinforced to 11:44.060 --> 11:46.171 render the foundation of the alliance 11:46.171 --> 11:48.226 even stronger to safeguard the rules 11:48.226 --> 11:50.449 based international order . In the Indo 11:50.449 --> 11:52.671 Pacific , we agreed to continue working 11:52.671 --> 11:54.560 in close concert . We opposed any 11:54.560 --> 11:56.449 unilateral attempts to change the 11:56.449 --> 11:58.560 status quo in the region . Freedom of 11:58.560 --> 12:00.782 the education and workflow is among the 12:00.782 --> 12:02.893 fundamental rights and obligations of 12:02.893 --> 12:02.435 the UN and international law 12:02.486 --> 12:04.653 establishing American order where such 12:04.653 --> 12:06.486 is guaranteed is crucial that we 12:06.486 --> 12:08.676 reaffirmed . We also reiterated our 12:08.685 --> 12:10.852 commitment to international solidarity 12:10.852 --> 12:14.156 and support for Ukraine . Now in its 12:14.166 --> 12:17.116 71st year , the r alliance rooted in 12:17.125 --> 12:19.181 democracy , human rights rule of law 12:19.181 --> 12:21.075 and other core shared values and 12:21.085 --> 12:23.075 unwaveringly trusted by our people 12:23.085 --> 12:25.768 remains stronger than ever . Sharing 12:25.778 --> 12:27.611 this view . We agreed to further 12:27.611 --> 12:29.588 broaden and deepen the alliance by 12:29.598 --> 12:32.388 convening regular Roc Us Foreign and 12:32.398 --> 12:34.757 Defense Ministers meeting going forward 12:35.177 --> 12:37.668 such regularization of the two plus two 12:37.677 --> 12:40.187 meeting would ensure that the Rogue Us 12:40.197 --> 12:42.364 Alliance as one of the most successful 12:42.364 --> 12:43.958 alliances engaged in more 12:43.968 --> 12:45.987 institutionalized and substantive 12:45.997 --> 12:48.247 cooper . Thank you , secretaries 12:48.257 --> 12:50.146 Lincoln and Austin . Once again , 12:51.640 --> 12:54.349 Minister Kim Foreign Minister Cho , 12:54.570 --> 12:56.737 it's great to have you with us here in 12:56.737 --> 12:58.848 Washington . Today's meeting has once 12:58.848 --> 13:01.210 again demonstrated the importance of 13:01.219 --> 13:04.039 our ironclad alliance . Yesterday , 13:04.049 --> 13:06.105 Minister Kim and I discussed ways to 13:06.109 --> 13:08.890 strengthen and modernize our alliance's 13:08.900 --> 13:11.390 combined defense posture . And in 13:11.400 --> 13:13.567 today's two plus two , we talked about 13:13.567 --> 13:15.619 evolving our alliance into a 13:15.630 --> 13:18.609 comprehensive global partnership . So 13:18.619 --> 13:20.869 let me touch on three key points . 13:21.469 --> 13:23.849 First , we agreed today to further 13:23.859 --> 13:26.270 enhance our interoperability and 13:26.280 --> 13:28.890 strengthen our extended deterrence . 13:29.820 --> 13:32.049 Our countries are deepening our nuclear 13:32.059 --> 13:34.840 and strategic planning efforts through 13:35.130 --> 13:38.559 the Nuclear Consultative Group . And 13:38.570 --> 13:40.309 we're increasing the regular 13:40.320 --> 13:43.270 deployments of us strategic assets on 13:43.280 --> 13:46.510 the Korean Peninsula . We also affirm 13:46.520 --> 13:48.700 that attacks in space or cyberspace 13:48.710 --> 13:51.260 that clearly challenge the security of 13:51.270 --> 13:54.070 the alliance could lead us to invoke 13:54.270 --> 13:56.750 article II of the Mutual Defense Treaty . 13:57.859 --> 14:00.026 So to improve our awareness of threats 14:00.026 --> 14:02.559 in the space and cyber domains , we're 14:02.570 --> 14:04.890 enhancing our interoperability and 14:04.900 --> 14:07.890 information sharing . Second , 14:08.950 --> 14:10.783 we're expanding the co-operation 14:10.783 --> 14:13.280 between our defense industrial bases 14:13.960 --> 14:16.409 that includes the US navy certification 14:16.419 --> 14:19.789 of shipyards to maintain 14:19.799 --> 14:23.570 repair and overhaul us navy ships . And 14:23.580 --> 14:26.320 that will help our alliance help keep 14:26.330 --> 14:28.929 our alliance resilient and it will help 14:28.940 --> 14:31.162 ensure that we have the capabilities to 14:31.162 --> 14:34.130 deter potential foes and if necessary 14:34.140 --> 14:37.559 prevail in conflict . Third , and 14:37.570 --> 14:40.070 finally , we're continuing to advance 14:40.080 --> 14:42.580 our defense ties with our regional 14:42.590 --> 14:45.099 allies and partners , especially the 14:45.109 --> 14:47.400 historic growth of trilateral security 14:47.409 --> 14:50.500 cooper among Japan , the Rok and the 14:50.510 --> 14:53.599 United States , our robust partnerships , 14:54.030 --> 14:56.950 especially with Japan and the let us 14:56.960 --> 15:00.400 share information , assess threats and 15:00.409 --> 15:03.239 craft thoughtful responses . Just like 15:03.250 --> 15:05.750 last night when the DPRK conducted its 15:05.760 --> 15:09.489 latest irresponsible missile test and 15:09.500 --> 15:11.722 across the Indo Pacific , we're working 15:11.722 --> 15:14.090 to strengthen maritime security and to 15:14.099 --> 15:16.679 bolster interoperability through 15:16.690 --> 15:19.880 multilateral exercises and we're 15:19.890 --> 15:22.112 helping to build up the capacity of our 15:22.112 --> 15:25.289 partner countries to tackle shared 15:25.299 --> 15:28.750 security challenges . We also recognize 15:28.760 --> 15:31.640 the profound links between Indo Pacific 15:31.650 --> 15:34.679 security and Euro Atlantic security . 15:35.640 --> 15:38.369 As you know , we now assess that North 15:38.380 --> 15:41.270 Korea has sent around 10,000 of its 15:41.280 --> 15:43.391 soldiers to train in eastern Russia . 15:44.169 --> 15:46.280 And as Secretary of State pointed out 15:46.280 --> 15:48.391 earlier , our most recent information 15:48.391 --> 15:51.030 indicates that about 8000 of those DPRK 15:51.039 --> 15:53.549 soldiers are now in the Kirk Oblast . 15:54.710 --> 15:56.821 Now we've not yet seen these soldiers 15:56.821 --> 15:59.030 deploy into combat against Ukraine's 15:59.039 --> 16:01.900 forces but we expect that these North 16:01.909 --> 16:03.909 Korean soldiers will join the fight 16:03.909 --> 16:05.965 against Ukraine in the coming days . 16:06.880 --> 16:09.460 Our assessment is that Putin's forces 16:09.469 --> 16:11.247 have trained these North Korean 16:11.247 --> 16:13.820 soldiers in artillery operations , UAV 16:13.830 --> 16:15.609 operations and basic infantry 16:15.619 --> 16:17.969 operations including trench clearing . 16:18.940 --> 16:20.940 The Kremlin has also provided these 16:20.940 --> 16:23.080 DPRK troops with Russian uniforms and 16:23.090 --> 16:25.530 equipment and all of that strongly 16:25.539 --> 16:28.169 indicates that Russia intends to use 16:28.179 --> 16:30.619 these foreign forces in front line 16:30.630 --> 16:33.739 operations in its war of choice against 16:33.750 --> 16:36.429 Ukraine . Make no mistake 16:37.950 --> 16:40.117 if these North Korean troops engage in 16:40.117 --> 16:42.809 combat or combat support operations 16:42.820 --> 16:45.229 against Ukraine , they would make 16:45.239 --> 16:48.669 themselves legitimate military targets 16:49.570 --> 16:51.681 So we are consulting closely with our 16:51.681 --> 16:54.020 allies and partners in other countries 16:54.030 --> 16:56.309 in the region on these reckless 16:56.320 --> 16:59.840 developments . And on our response , as 16:59.849 --> 17:01.809 I discussed last week in Kiev , 17:02.349 --> 17:05.140 Ukraine's military continues to perform 17:05.150 --> 17:07.650 admirably on the battlefield and 17:07.660 --> 17:09.790 Putin's forces have suffered serious 17:09.800 --> 17:12.869 losses . In recent months . Ukrainian 17:12.880 --> 17:15.849 forces have caused more than 1200 17:15.859 --> 17:19.680 Russian casualties per day . More than 17:19.689 --> 17:21.800 than at any other time during Putin's 17:21.800 --> 17:25.229 war by 10 cupping to North Korea for 17:25.239 --> 17:28.449 manpower . Putin is showing the world 17:28.459 --> 17:31.569 another clear sign of weakness . The 17:31.579 --> 17:34.430 Kremlin's North Korean gambit just 17:34.439 --> 17:37.439 underscores how badly Putin's war has 17:37.449 --> 17:39.949 gone and how much trouble he's in ? 17:40.930 --> 17:43.041 This is the first time in more than a 17:43.041 --> 17:44.874 century that Russia has welcomed 17:44.874 --> 17:46.819 foreign troops onto its own soil . 17:46.819 --> 17:49.780 Secretary Blinken noted a permanent 17:49.790 --> 17:52.760 member of the UN Security Council is 17:52.770 --> 17:56.599 violating Security Council resolutions 17:56.609 --> 17:59.719 that it agreed to . So at the direction 17:59.729 --> 18:01.785 of the president , the United States 18:01.785 --> 18:04.020 will continue to surge security 18:04.030 --> 18:06.560 assistance to Ukraine and so will our 18:06.569 --> 18:08.513 allies and partners in the Ukraine 18:08.513 --> 18:11.349 defense contact group that includes 18:11.359 --> 18:14.140 artillery and air defense , armored 18:14.150 --> 18:16.530 vehicles , munitions and other crucial 18:16.540 --> 18:18.920 capabilities . The United States will 18:18.930 --> 18:21.152 announce additional security assistance 18:21.152 --> 18:23.374 for Ukraine in the coming days . And in 18:23.374 --> 18:25.486 our meetings yesterday and today , we 18:25.486 --> 18:27.560 discussed with our rok allies , how 18:27.569 --> 18:29.680 we're doing , how we're going to work 18:29.680 --> 18:31.791 together with our allies and partners 18:31.791 --> 18:34.229 to respond to this dangerous and 18:34.239 --> 18:38.199 destabilizing escalation . We're also 18:38.209 --> 18:40.780 closely tracking other bullying by the 18:40.790 --> 18:43.859 DPRK , Russia and the People's Republic 18:43.869 --> 18:46.290 of China . And that's why the United 18:46.300 --> 18:49.609 States and the ROK are working so 18:49.619 --> 18:51.969 closely with our partners to stand up 18:51.979 --> 18:55.880 to coercive destabilizing actions in 18:55.890 --> 18:58.650 both the Indo Pacific and the Euro 18:58.949 --> 19:01.689 Atlantic . Our work together is central 19:01.699 --> 19:04.390 to ensuring peace and stability and to 19:04.400 --> 19:08.189 enhancing deterrence for Mister Cho and 19:08.199 --> 19:11.109 Mister Kim . Thanks for your leadership 19:11.599 --> 19:13.488 and your commitment to this proud 19:13.488 --> 19:15.619 alliance . Mister Kim over to you . 19:22.430 --> 19:24.541 Good afternoon . I am the Minister of 19:24.541 --> 19:26.541 National Defense of the Republic of 19:26.541 --> 19:29.719 Korea . First , I would like to thank 19:29.729 --> 19:31.451 Secretary of State Blinken and 19:31.451 --> 19:33.839 Secretary of Defense Austin for hosting 19:33.849 --> 19:36.479 the Raqqa sworn and Defense Ministerial 19:36.489 --> 19:38.489 and for your warm reception of the 19:38.500 --> 19:42.500 Korean delegation . The international 19:42.510 --> 19:45.060 community today is faced with complex 19:45.069 --> 19:47.069 challenges which threaten peace and 19:47.069 --> 19:49.329 security and we are in the most stern 19:49.339 --> 19:51.672 security environment since the Cold War . 19:52.170 --> 19:54.890 It is at this time that the Raucous 19:54.900 --> 19:56.844 Foreign and Defense Ministers have 19:56.844 --> 19:59.300 gathered together to discuss raucous 19:59.310 --> 20:02.500 alliance development and various issues 20:02.510 --> 20:05.469 on regional peace and security , which 20:05.479 --> 20:08.680 is very timely and significant 20:10.219 --> 20:14.089 at the meeting . We agreed 20:14.099 --> 20:16.770 that the raucous alliance is the core 20:16.780 --> 20:19.000 pillar of peace , security and 20:19.010 --> 20:21.959 prosperity of the Korean Peninsula and 20:21.969 --> 20:24.579 the Indo Pacific region . And we agreed 20:24.589 --> 20:26.489 to strengthen cooper operation as 20:26.500 --> 20:29.130 Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance 20:31.319 --> 20:35.030 on North Korea's launch . 20:35.050 --> 20:37.290 Yesterday , we denounced this with one 20:37.300 --> 20:40.910 voice and urged North Korea to abide by 20:40.920 --> 20:43.031 the Un Security Council resolutions . 20:43.339 --> 20:46.089 Also on the escalating North Korean 20:46.099 --> 20:48.599 nuclear and missile threats . We agreed 20:48.609 --> 20:50.765 to continuously strengthen cooper 20:50.775 --> 20:54.025 operation on deterrence and response on 20:54.035 --> 20:56.146 North Korea's deployment of troops to 20:56.146 --> 20:59.425 Russia and illegal military cooper with 20:59.435 --> 21:01.602 Russia . We denounced this with strong 21:01.602 --> 21:04.905 words and strongly urged the immediate 21:04.915 --> 21:06.994 withdrawal of North Korean troops . 21:10.489 --> 21:13.369 We have completed the joint guidelines 21:13.380 --> 21:16.800 in July last July and thus uplifting 21:16.810 --> 21:19.239 the Raucous alliance into a nuclear 21:19.250 --> 21:21.540 based alliance in name and substance . 21:21.829 --> 21:24.020 We reconfirmed our common goal of the 21:24.030 --> 21:26.170 complete denuclearization of North 21:26.180 --> 21:28.314 Korea . And based on historic joint 21:28.324 --> 21:30.915 guidelines , we agreed to continuously 21:30.925 --> 21:32.758 strengthen the implementation of 21:32.758 --> 21:35.655 extended deterrence . The US 21:35.864 --> 21:38.564 reconfirmed the strong commitment to 21:39.155 --> 21:41.484 two useful scope military capabilities 21:41.494 --> 21:43.605 to provide extended deterrence to the 21:43.605 --> 21:47.209 Republic of Korea . We 21:47.219 --> 21:49.709 confirmed that the scope of the mutual 21:49.719 --> 21:52.869 defense treaty applies to space and 21:52.880 --> 21:55.829 cyber domains and agreed to strengthen 21:55.839 --> 21:58.420 cooper operation in space and cyber 21:58.430 --> 22:02.040 domains to 22:02.050 --> 22:04.119 respond to new challenges including 22:04.130 --> 22:06.352 global supply chain crises and advanced 22:06.352 --> 22:08.930 technology competition . We concurred 22:08.939 --> 22:11.050 that we need to evolve into a science 22:11.050 --> 22:14.792 and technology and agreed to strengthen 22:14.802 --> 22:16.858 cooper operation in defense industry 22:16.858 --> 22:19.024 and defense , science and technology . 22:19.623 --> 22:21.512 We concurred on the importance of 22:21.512 --> 22:23.512 upholding rules based international 22:23.512 --> 22:27.012 order in the region and on enhancing 22:27.022 --> 22:28.911 cooper operation with other value 22:28.911 --> 22:31.343 sharing countries . In particular . We 22:31.353 --> 22:33.692 agreed to strengthen rock us , Japan 22:33.703 --> 22:36.762 security cooper and based on our indo 22:37.052 --> 22:39.385 pacific strategies , we agreed to 22:39.395 --> 22:41.745 expand Cooper with the Asean and 22:41.755 --> 22:45.745 Pacific Island nations and in new areas 22:45.755 --> 22:48.115 of cooperations such as a pillar two , 22:48.125 --> 22:51.186 we have agreed to create synergy . The 22:51.196 --> 22:53.306 new thing today we assessed is a 22:53.316 --> 22:55.316 cornerstone for developing the Raus 22:55.426 --> 22:57.482 alliance into a global comprehensive 22:57.482 --> 23:00.156 strategic alliance . And we will 23:00.166 --> 23:02.395 closely cooper for peace , security and 23:02.406 --> 23:04.745 prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and 23:04.755 --> 23:08.635 in the region . We go together . Thank 23:08.645 --> 23:09.645 you . 23:14.030 --> 23:15.030 OK , 23:19.829 --> 23:21.885 thank you very much . Now , my first 23:21.885 --> 23:23.996 question is for the four of you , you 23:23.996 --> 23:26.051 discussed the need for Beijing to do 23:26.051 --> 23:27.718 more to rein in North Korea's 23:27.718 --> 23:29.885 aggression . But so far China has been 23:29.885 --> 23:31.662 largely silent on North Korea's 23:31.662 --> 23:33.773 deployment of troops to help Russia's 23:33.773 --> 23:35.885 war effort . What do you make of this 23:35.885 --> 23:37.885 silence ? What do you want to see ? 23:37.885 --> 23:39.996 What specific steps would you like to 23:39.996 --> 23:42.107 see happen next ? And is now the time 23:42.107 --> 23:44.107 for South Korea to supply offensive 23:44.107 --> 23:46.162 arms to Ukraine and then over to the 23:46.162 --> 23:48.385 Middle East if I may , Secretary Austin 23:48.385 --> 23:50.280 Secretary Lincoln , do you see uh 23:50.290 --> 23:52.719 Lebanon cease fire deal coming together ? 23:52.729 --> 23:54.785 Is that on the horizon ? And then in 23:54.785 --> 23:57.180 Gaza , the US has been pushing Israel 23:57.189 --> 23:59.459 for answers on that devastating strike 23:59.469 --> 24:02.439 in Beit Lahiya for days now to no avail 24:03.055 --> 24:04.999 the letter you sent to the Israeli 24:04.999 --> 24:07.222 government called for the creation of a 24:07.222 --> 24:09.388 new channel on civilian harm incidents 24:09.388 --> 24:11.555 by the end of this month . So far , it 24:11.555 --> 24:13.722 doesn't appear that has happened , has 24:13.722 --> 24:15.722 anything changed on either of those 24:15.722 --> 24:17.888 fronts and if not , how do you justify 24:17.888 --> 24:20.305 continuing to arm a foreign power that 24:20.314 --> 24:21.314 won't cooper 24:24.869 --> 24:25.869 any more . 24:28.770 --> 24:30.750 Um I'm happy to start , 24:33.640 --> 24:36.680 as we said , I think uh each of us and 24:36.689 --> 24:40.339 as we uh say , collectively , uh we 24:40.349 --> 24:43.150 believe that the entire world should be 24:43.160 --> 24:45.439 insisting and demanding that the D Pr K 24:45.449 --> 24:47.560 cease its provocative actions both in 24:47.560 --> 24:49.880 terms of the repeated missile launches 24:49.890 --> 24:51.890 in violation of Un Security Council 24:51.890 --> 24:54.660 resolutions and now also uh providing 24:55.540 --> 24:58.800 its troops for Russia's use 24:59.609 --> 25:01.498 in this war of aggression against 25:01.498 --> 25:04.150 Ukraine . And when it comes to China , 25:04.160 --> 25:06.049 as a member of the United Nations 25:06.049 --> 25:08.780 Security Council , uh we would and 25:08.790 --> 25:11.920 should expect no less . And we've had 25:12.400 --> 25:14.567 communications with uh with China . In 25:14.567 --> 25:16.567 fact , we had a robust conversation 25:16.567 --> 25:19.560 just this week and I think they know 25:19.569 --> 25:21.625 well , the concerns that we have and 25:21.625 --> 25:24.329 the expectations that both in word and 25:24.339 --> 25:26.479 deed , they'll use the influence that 25:26.489 --> 25:28.949 they have to work to curb these 25:28.959 --> 25:31.126 activities . So we'll see if they take 25:31.126 --> 25:33.237 action . But I think this is a demand 25:33.237 --> 25:35.348 signal that's coming not just from us 25:35.348 --> 25:37.570 but from countries around the world and 25:37.570 --> 25:39.737 see what the DPRK is doing both in the 25:39.737 --> 25:41.459 immediate region on the Korean 25:41.459 --> 25:43.989 Peninsula , but also what it's doing in , 25:44.660 --> 25:47.459 in Europe . Now , it's also very 25:47.469 --> 25:50.420 important to note that this is a two 25:50.430 --> 25:54.160 way street between D Pr K 25:54.170 --> 25:57.280 and Russia . We're seeing what DPRK is 25:57.290 --> 25:59.457 providing to Russia in terms of troops 25:59.479 --> 26:01.479 we're very focused on and concerned 26:01.479 --> 26:03.800 about what Russia might be doing in 26:03.810 --> 26:06.170 order to enhance the dprk's capacities , 26:06.180 --> 26:08.402 its military capacity , that too should 26:08.402 --> 26:10.500 be of real concern to China because 26:10.510 --> 26:13.329 it's profoundly destabilizing uh in the 26:13.339 --> 26:17.339 region . Um On Lebanon , um let me 26:17.349 --> 26:20.290 just say that we are working very hard 26:20.300 --> 26:22.949 and making progress on reaching 26:22.959 --> 26:24.737 understandings of what would be 26:24.737 --> 26:26.237 required for the effective 26:26.237 --> 26:28.126 implementation of the Un Security 26:28.126 --> 26:30.348 Council resolution 1701 . This would be 26:30.348 --> 26:33.020 the basis of a diplomatic resolution to 26:33.030 --> 26:35.150 the crisis . It's important to make 26:35.160 --> 26:37.939 sure that we have clarity both from 26:37.949 --> 26:40.439 Lebanon and from Israel about what 26:40.449 --> 26:43.189 would be required under 1701 to get its 26:43.199 --> 26:45.319 effective implementation , the 26:45.329 --> 26:47.949 withdrawal of Hezbollah forces from the 26:47.959 --> 26:50.400 border , the deployment of the Lebanese 26:50.410 --> 26:52.760 armed forces , the authorities under 26:52.770 --> 26:55.010 which they'd be acting an appropriate 26:55.020 --> 26:57.219 enforcement mechanism . And I can tell 26:57.229 --> 26:59.451 you that based on my recent trip to the 26:59.451 --> 27:01.618 region , the work that's ongoing right 27:01.618 --> 27:03.618 now , we have made good progress on 27:03.618 --> 27:05.673 those understandings . We still have 27:05.673 --> 27:07.673 more work to do . But that's what's 27:07.673 --> 27:09.673 necessary to get us to a diplomatic 27:09.673 --> 27:11.729 resolution including through a cease 27:11.729 --> 27:15.709 fire . And with regard to Gaza , I 27:15.719 --> 27:17.941 can tell you a couple of things first , 27:18.189 --> 27:20.660 both of us and our teams are tracking 27:20.670 --> 27:22.189 very carefully . Israel's 27:22.199 --> 27:24.969 responsibilities to meet the letter 27:25.290 --> 27:28.180 of the law as we sent it 27:28.569 --> 27:30.989 jointly to our Israeli counterparts 27:31.000 --> 27:32.778 with regard to the provision of 27:32.778 --> 27:34.778 humanitarian assistance and there's 27:34.778 --> 27:38.760 been no progress but insufficient and 27:38.770 --> 27:41.180 we're working on a daily basis to make 27:41.189 --> 27:43.579 sure that Israel does what it must do 27:43.869 --> 27:47.430 to ensure that this assistance gets to 27:47.439 --> 27:50.150 people who need it inside of Gaza . 27:50.270 --> 27:52.492 It's not enough to get trucks to Gaza . 27:52.609 --> 27:54.829 It's vital that what they bring with 27:54.839 --> 27:56.895 them can get distributed effectively 27:56.895 --> 27:59.117 inside of Gaza . And one other thing on 27:59.117 --> 28:01.228 this very quickly , one of the things 28:01.228 --> 28:03.172 that has been successful in recent 28:03.172 --> 28:05.006 months was the polio vaccination 28:05.006 --> 28:07.349 campaign for hundreds of thousands of 28:07.359 --> 28:09.989 Palestinian Children in Gaza . But in 28:10.000 --> 28:12.333 order for that campaign to be concluded , 28:12.660 --> 28:14.771 we have to complete a second round of 28:14.771 --> 28:16.771 vaccinations and these vaccinations 28:16.771 --> 28:18.938 have to happen within a certain period 28:18.938 --> 28:20.827 of time . From the first round of 28:20.827 --> 28:22.938 vaccinations . It is urgent that this 28:22.938 --> 28:26.040 be completed in the days ahead and 28:26.050 --> 28:28.540 we're looking to Israel to facilitate 28:28.550 --> 28:31.270 that action and then finally , sorry 28:31.280 --> 28:33.530 for going on so long . Um 28:34.829 --> 28:37.819 For many months , Israel has made clear 28:37.829 --> 28:39.940 that the strategic objectives that it 28:39.940 --> 28:42.290 had in Gaza in making sure that October 28:42.300 --> 28:44.244 7th and the horrors of October 7th 28:44.244 --> 28:46.319 could never happen again . Or the 28:46.329 --> 28:48.273 effective dismantlement of Hamas's 28:48.273 --> 28:50.510 military capacity , its organized 28:50.520 --> 28:53.219 military capacity and the elimination 28:53.229 --> 28:55.396 of the leaders who are responsible for 28:55.396 --> 28:59.189 October 7th . So both of those goals 28:59.290 --> 29:01.890 have been achieved and the focus now 29:01.900 --> 29:05.030 must be on ending the war . And in the 29:05.040 --> 29:07.262 meanwhile , making sure that people who 29:07.262 --> 29:09.640 need the assistance for food , for 29:09.650 --> 29:12.650 medicine and other basic humanitarian 29:12.660 --> 29:14.716 needs , get the assistance that they 29:14.716 --> 29:17.839 need . So with respect to 29:19.680 --> 29:23.300 Apr C . Um and uh this latest 29:23.310 --> 29:26.079 development with D pr K troops uh in uh 29:26.089 --> 29:28.200 in Russia , you know , we're speaking 29:28.200 --> 29:30.311 to countries uh throughout the region 29:30.311 --> 29:33.479 uh about this alarming uh development . 29:33.829 --> 29:35.996 Uh And that includes , as Tony pointed 29:35.996 --> 29:39.410 out uh to uh it includes the PR C and I 29:39.420 --> 29:41.531 would refer you to the PR C for their 29:41.540 --> 29:44.689 position . But if China is serious 29:44.699 --> 29:47.520 about its desire for de escalation , it 29:47.530 --> 29:49.449 should be asking Russia some hard 29:49.459 --> 29:51.959 questions at this point and whether 29:52.020 --> 29:54.209 whether it intends to broaden this 29:54.219 --> 29:56.709 conflict by this kind of behavior . Uh 29:56.800 --> 29:58.969 And so we'll continue to work with uh 29:58.979 --> 30:02.959 with allies and partners uh and uh and 30:03.670 --> 30:05.670 make sure that , you know , we're , 30:05.670 --> 30:07.781 we're doing the right things in terms 30:07.781 --> 30:10.869 of um being prepared to move to the 30:10.880 --> 30:13.459 next stage in terms of holding uh D pr 30:13.469 --> 30:16.500 K uh to task um 30:16.989 --> 30:20.239 regarding activities in uh in the 30:20.250 --> 30:23.160 Middle East . You know , I talk to my 30:23.170 --> 30:24.892 counterpart , Minister Gallant 30:24.892 --> 30:27.114 routinely , I'll talk to him today this 30:27.114 --> 30:29.392 afternoon and every time I talk to him , 30:29.392 --> 30:31.170 I emphasize the need to protect 30:31.170 --> 30:33.170 civilians in a battle space and the 30:33.170 --> 30:35.392 need to provide humanitarian assistance 30:35.392 --> 30:39.050 to um to the people in Gaza . And as 30:39.060 --> 30:41.319 Tony pointed out , they have made some 30:41.329 --> 30:43.680 progress recently , we want to see him 30:43.790 --> 30:45.810 do much more and we'll continue to 30:45.819 --> 30:47.763 emphasize that as we engage in the 30:47.763 --> 30:50.979 future . And again , we're hopeful that 30:50.989 --> 30:54.430 we can , we see things , we will see 30:54.439 --> 30:57.790 things transition in Lebanon in a not 30:57.800 --> 31:00.022 too distant future . I think there's an 31:00.022 --> 31:02.260 opportunity for that to happen . But 31:02.520 --> 31:05.469 you know , it's , it's left to be seen 31:05.479 --> 31:07.368 when that will happen . But we'll 31:07.368 --> 31:09.535 continue to press to make sure that it 31:09.535 --> 31:11.090 happens sooner versus later 31:17.569 --> 31:21.160 regarding China's stance on the recent 31:21.170 --> 31:23.337 developments and what kind of measures 31:23.337 --> 31:25.689 that we will be asking for 31:32.670 --> 31:36.579 and patch to Russia ? China has 31:36.589 --> 31:39.969 been reticent about making its position 31:39.979 --> 31:42.420 known . But I believe that it is 31:42.430 --> 31:45.140 finding it very uncomfortable , the 31:45.150 --> 31:48.579 whole situation starting from 31:48.589 --> 31:51.959 last spring because we know that there 31:51.969 --> 31:54.449 are things that China can do . We have 31:54.459 --> 31:56.680 been engaging in high level talks and 31:56.689 --> 32:00.500 communication with China so that we 32:00.510 --> 32:03.089 can make relevant cooperations . So we 32:03.099 --> 32:05.155 will continue to do so going forward 32:05.155 --> 32:07.377 and we will be having many contacts and 32:07.377 --> 32:09.410 interactions with the PR C and you 32:09.910 --> 32:12.589 those occasions , we will relay our 32:12.599 --> 32:15.890 concerns and thoughts to the 32:18.030 --> 32:21.040 our plan to provide weapons to Ukraine . 32:22.150 --> 32:25.900 There was a question as was mentioned 32:26.150 --> 32:30.119 by the Union , depending on 32:30.130 --> 32:32.890 the developments in military cooper 32:33.109 --> 32:35.829 between the DP and relevant measures , 32:35.839 --> 32:37.895 corresponding measures will be taken 32:37.895 --> 32:41.760 accordingly . We need to see 32:41.829 --> 32:45.239 the level of involvement of the D Pr K 32:45.250 --> 32:49.030 forces in Russia . And we also need to 32:49.040 --> 32:52.790 watch what kind of quick pro the D Pr K 32:52.810 --> 32:54.921 will be receiving from Russia . So we 32:54.921 --> 32:57.143 will have to watch that before making a 32:57.143 --> 32:59.739 decision as to the weapons support that 32:59.750 --> 33:02.199 we will be providing to U Ukraine . So 33:02.310 --> 33:04.477 currently , we're not in a position to 33:04.477 --> 33:05.699 share the specifics . 33:08.219 --> 33:10.550 So the three earlier ministers have 33:10.560 --> 33:12.671 already mentioned much , but I'd like 33:12.671 --> 33:16.010 to just add one point on the silence of 33:16.020 --> 33:19.890 the PR C . China still 33:19.900 --> 33:23.890 continues to be silent . I think the 33:23.900 --> 33:25.900 more clear assessment is that it is 33:26.040 --> 33:28.709 watching and waiting and if the 33:28.719 --> 33:31.900 situation worsens at one point , 33:32.319 --> 33:35.614 China , either as a mediator 33:35.734 --> 33:38.775 or any other role may be intervening . 33:38.785 --> 33:42.194 So when the situation worsens , so 33:42.535 --> 33:44.757 there will be a point when the interest 33:44.757 --> 33:46.868 of China will be violated . And it is 33:46.868 --> 33:49.635 at that point that China will begin to 33:49.645 --> 33:51.145 play a certain role 33:54.989 --> 33:57.170 for the next question . Sang Ho song 33:57.180 --> 34:00.599 with Yon Hop news agency . Thank you . 34:00.609 --> 34:02.665 Uh My first question is for Minister 34:02.665 --> 34:04.887 Kim and Secretary Austin . Uh yesterday 34:04.887 --> 34:06.998 North Korea launched an ICBM . Do you 34:06.998 --> 34:09.053 assess that um there was any Russian 34:09.053 --> 34:11.053 technological support vis a vis the 34:11.053 --> 34:13.109 latest , latest uh ICBM launch . And 34:13.109 --> 34:14.831 regarding uh the SCM statement 34:14.831 --> 34:16.998 yesterday , uh the statement said that 34:16.998 --> 34:18.887 Minister and secretary decided to 34:18.887 --> 34:20.887 include a North Korean nuclear tech 34:20.887 --> 34:22.942 scenario and future exercises . Does 34:22.942 --> 34:25.109 that require any uh revision or update 34:25.109 --> 34:27.455 of uh rock us wartime operational um 34:27.465 --> 34:30.044 plans ? And , and when will that happen ? 34:30.054 --> 34:32.215 Would that uh be applied to combined 34:32.225 --> 34:34.524 exercises in coming years or next year ? 34:34.574 --> 34:36.574 Can you give us some clarity on the 34:36.574 --> 34:38.514 time frame ? And , and my second 34:38.524 --> 34:40.725 question is for Secretary Blinken and 34:40.735 --> 34:42.965 Minister Cho . Uh can you tell us what 34:42.975 --> 34:44.919 specific steps South Korea and the 34:44.919 --> 34:46.975 United States are considering taking 34:46.975 --> 34:49.439 beyond this public condemnation . Um If 34:49.449 --> 34:51.671 a North Korean troops actual entry into 34:51.671 --> 34:55.389 combat is confirmed . Thank you . So , 34:55.399 --> 34:57.510 so the first question was on the ICBM 34:57.510 --> 35:00.350 and , and can you office ? 35:01.919 --> 35:04.510 Yeah , we are um 35:12.330 --> 35:15.449 kidney room inside . Do you have any 35:15.459 --> 35:17.515 assessment indicating that there was 35:17.515 --> 35:19.570 any Russian technological support uh 35:19.570 --> 35:21.770 regarding the IC M ICBM launch this 35:21.780 --> 35:23.909 this week ? Thank you at this point . 35:23.919 --> 35:26.820 Uh It's , it's uh very early uh in uh 35:27.159 --> 35:29.215 in our assessment phase and we don't 35:29.215 --> 35:31.600 see any indication at this point that 35:31.610 --> 35:34.639 there was uh Russian involvement . But 35:34.649 --> 35:37.060 again , we'll continue to work with our 35:37.070 --> 35:39.237 partners and , and our allies in the , 35:39.237 --> 35:41.330 in the region to , to analyze this . 35:41.340 --> 35:43.451 But , but again , let me emphasize uh 35:43.729 --> 35:47.439 how irresponsible this behavior is and , 35:47.449 --> 35:50.239 you know , we call upon the DPRK to 35:50.530 --> 35:53.209 cease and desist , it's potentially 35:53.219 --> 35:57.129 destabilizing . And again , it violates 35:57.139 --> 36:00.879 the UN un sanctions . So , 36:03.530 --> 36:05.419 but , but to answer your question 36:05.419 --> 36:07.530 specifically , I don't see any uh any 36:07.530 --> 36:09.641 Russian involvement . And your second 36:09.641 --> 36:13.639 question was the same 36:13.649 --> 36:15.429 question is regarding the a SCM 36:15.439 --> 36:17.439 statement yesterday . The statement 36:17.439 --> 36:19.661 said that the Minister and um Secretary 36:19.661 --> 36:21.828 Austin decided to include North Korean 36:21.828 --> 36:23.883 nuclear attack scenario and a future 36:23.883 --> 36:26.050 combined exercises between South Korea 36:26.050 --> 36:28.106 and the US militaries . So I'm , I'm 36:28.106 --> 36:30.217 wondering if that requires a revision 36:30.217 --> 36:32.272 of wartime operational plans between 36:32.272 --> 36:34.495 South Korea and the United States . And 36:34.495 --> 36:33.719 when will that happen if that's 36:33.729 --> 36:36.209 happening maybe next year or in coming 36:36.219 --> 36:38.330 years . Do you have any uh time frame 36:38.330 --> 36:40.552 for that ? Thank you . Well , certainly 36:40.552 --> 36:44.290 I won't give , provide specifics about 36:44.300 --> 36:46.790 the contents of our plan . But I would 36:46.800 --> 36:48.840 just say that we are constantly 36:48.959 --> 36:52.149 planning and upgrading our plans and 36:52.159 --> 36:54.639 working to make sure that , that we are 36:54.649 --> 36:57.139 ready to fight tonight if that , if it 36:57.149 --> 36:59.205 comes to that . But again , the fact 36:59.205 --> 37:02.510 that we continue to , to increase our 37:02.520 --> 37:05.280 interoperability , I think that 37:05.290 --> 37:07.840 reassures our allies and partners in 37:07.850 --> 37:10.580 the region . And it also serves as a 37:10.590 --> 37:12.760 deterrent against anyone who would , 37:12.870 --> 37:15.790 who would want to do the unthinkable 37:15.800 --> 37:18.078 and try to take on this great alliance . 37:22.320 --> 37:26.080 I what does I say two of it ? 37:29.469 --> 37:33.209 First on the first question 37:35.860 --> 37:39.030 on North Korea's launch , was there a 37:39.040 --> 37:41.207 technical support from Russia that has 37:41.207 --> 37:44.399 not been confirmed at the moment ? And 37:44.409 --> 37:48.310 what we predict is that there 37:48.320 --> 37:51.413 is no evidence that technology support . 37:53.663 --> 37:57.623 Secondly , so combined exercises based 37:57.633 --> 37:58.966 on North Korean nuclear 38:00.972 --> 38:03.913 capabilities in all of the 38:03.943 --> 38:06.833 operational plans , it is based on 38:06.843 --> 38:09.903 strategy and based on the strategic 38:09.913 --> 38:12.446 plan implementation happened . So that 38:12.456 --> 38:15.726 is how we proceed with our exercises 38:16.105 --> 38:18.696 and it will be implemented as soon as 38:18.706 --> 38:20.928 possible . So I think that is as far as 38:20.928 --> 38:21.928 I can say , 38:26.605 --> 38:29.275 other than the public condemnation 38:29.285 --> 38:31.229 between our two nations . And what 38:31.229 --> 38:33.341 specific actions are we considering ? 38:33.341 --> 38:35.919 That was the question at this point , 38:36.810 --> 38:38.820 strategic communication towards the 38:38.830 --> 38:41.459 international community , especially 38:41.469 --> 38:44.149 tailoring our messages to different 38:44.159 --> 38:46.326 groups of members of the international 38:46.326 --> 38:48.439 community and a coordinations of 38:48.449 --> 38:52.229 independent sanctions are on our minds 38:52.239 --> 38:54.699 and we will consider the full dress of 38:54.709 --> 38:57.524 possible scenarios , making 38:57.534 --> 39:00.784 considerations as to the option to take 39:01.304 --> 39:03.584 regarding the specific measures and 39:03.594 --> 39:05.834 actions to be taken , we will have to 39:05.844 --> 39:08.955 see the specifics of military cooper 39:09.245 --> 39:11.814 between the DP and Russia . Once that's 39:11.824 --> 39:14.205 confirmed , we will take actions 39:14.215 --> 39:16.594 accordingly and I can only reinforce 39:17.175 --> 39:19.580 what the Foreign Minister said . We 39:19.590 --> 39:21.590 will of course consult closely with 39:21.590 --> 39:23.560 allies and partners . We see North 39:23.570 --> 39:25.850 Korean troops enter into combat as both 39:25.860 --> 39:27.971 Lloyd and I have said that makes them 39:27.971 --> 39:30.669 legitimate military targets , but we'll 39:30.679 --> 39:32.846 be consulting with allies and partners 39:32.959 --> 39:34.830 on any additional steps and any 39:34.840 --> 39:36.896 additional measures we may choose to 39:36.896 --> 39:39.229 take for our part for the United States . 39:39.229 --> 39:41.173 As I mentioned earlier , you'll be 39:41.173 --> 39:43.284 seeing additional security assistance 39:43.284 --> 39:43.189 heading in the direction of Ukraine 39:43.560 --> 39:46.159 very soon to be announced in the coming 39:46.169 --> 39:49.620 days . And throughout these months , 39:50.030 --> 39:52.810 we will be with more than 50 countries 39:53.209 --> 39:55.370 continuing to strengthen and build 39:55.379 --> 39:57.979 support for Ukraine's defense with 39:57.989 --> 40:00.211 everything that it needs to effectively 40:00.211 --> 40:02.378 defend itself as well as continuing to 40:02.378 --> 40:06.290 put pressure on Russia and to deal 40:06.300 --> 40:08.469 in many other ways with the with the 40:08.479 --> 40:12.050 ongoing aggression . For the next 40:12.060 --> 40:14.338 question , Noah Robertson with defense . 40:16.469 --> 40:19.840 This time , I 40:20.750 --> 40:23.129 share whether Israel actually shares a 40:23.139 --> 40:26.850 assessment of the war right now . Your 40:26.860 --> 40:28.027 microphone is not on 40:31.120 --> 40:32.120 two . 40:41.729 --> 40:43.800 Can you hear me did you hear the 40:43.810 --> 40:45.643 question or should I repeat it ? 40:45.719 --> 40:47.608 Perfect . Thank you . And to both 40:47.608 --> 40:49.886 Secretary Austin and Secretary Blinken , 40:49.886 --> 40:52.052 I wanted to know if you could describe 40:52.052 --> 40:53.886 the progress that you've seen in 40:53.886 --> 40:55.719 humanitarian aid and whether you 40:55.719 --> 40:57.719 believe with Gaza that Israel is on 40:57.719 --> 40:59.830 track to reach a sufficient level for 40:59.830 --> 41:01.886 your satisfaction . And if you could 41:01.886 --> 41:03.889 expand specifically on what channel 41:03.899 --> 41:05.899 that the US has used to communicate 41:05.899 --> 41:09.209 with China about the D Pr K's actions 41:09.219 --> 41:11.360 in Russia . To Secretary Austin . 41:11.370 --> 41:13.459 Specifically , I wanted to note now 41:13.469 --> 41:15.929 that we have seen these 8000 Dprk 41:15.939 --> 41:18.149 troops deployed toward Kirk , whether 41:18.159 --> 41:20.560 you think it's possible for Ukraine to 41:20.570 --> 41:23.080 hold on to its territory there or 41:23.090 --> 41:24.812 whether it will have to try to 41:24.812 --> 41:26.868 consolidate its defenses , given the 41:26.868 --> 41:28.812 losses in the East . And then if I 41:28.812 --> 41:30.979 could venture one more specifically to 41:30.979 --> 41:33.201 Minister Kim , um could you specify the 41:33.201 --> 41:35.257 number of containers that the D Pr K 41:35.257 --> 41:37.146 has provided to Russia during the 41:37.146 --> 41:38.923 conflict as it grows its cooper 41:38.923 --> 41:42.159 militarily ? Thank you . Thank you . 41:42.169 --> 41:44.113 Well , of course , I'll let Israel 41:44.113 --> 41:46.002 speak for itself , but I think it 41:46.002 --> 41:48.270 actually largely has . Uh as I said , 41:48.280 --> 41:51.540 it's made clear repeatedly and publicly 41:51.550 --> 41:53.606 that the critical objectives that it 41:53.606 --> 41:55.661 had for making sure that October 7th 41:55.661 --> 41:57.661 could never happen again , were the 41:57.661 --> 41:59.620 elimination of Hamas's organized 41:59.629 --> 42:03.179 military capacity as well as 42:03.439 --> 42:06.070 bringing to justice those who were 42:06.080 --> 42:08.340 responsible for perpetrating October 42:08.350 --> 42:12.090 7th and notably Mr Simar . Well , the 42:12.100 --> 42:15.459 latter is demonstrably uh done . Uh And 42:15.469 --> 42:17.770 the Israelis themselves have said and 42:17.780 --> 42:20.399 said publicly that they have dismantled 42:20.409 --> 42:22.520 hamas' military capacity . So on that 42:22.520 --> 42:24.465 basis , and these are their stated 42:24.465 --> 42:26.540 objectives , those objectives having 42:26.550 --> 42:30.209 been achieved at great cost in the 42:30.219 --> 42:33.090 lives of Children , 42:34.120 --> 42:37.899 women men , Palestinians caught in this 42:37.909 --> 42:40.389 crossfire hamas' initiation and making . 42:40.979 --> 42:44.320 Well , this would be the time to move 42:44.330 --> 42:47.310 to end the war . Um in terms of 42:47.320 --> 42:49.542 progress on the humanitarian aid , look 42:49.542 --> 42:52.669 the letter that Lloyd and I sent , 42:53.530 --> 42:55.760 which is now in the public domain , 42:55.770 --> 42:57.770 even though that was not the intent 42:57.770 --> 42:59.770 lays out a number of things that we 42:59.770 --> 43:02.090 expect to see them do . And I can tell 43:02.100 --> 43:04.211 you that uh as you go down the list , 43:04.211 --> 43:06.100 there are a number of them . Uh a 43:06.100 --> 43:08.211 number of these steps have been taken 43:08.211 --> 43:11.139 including for example , uh reviving 43:11.149 --> 43:13.290 crossings that have been dormant , 43:13.449 --> 43:15.780 initiating and opening a new crossing 43:15.790 --> 43:18.770 into Gaza . Uh some additional measures , 43:18.879 --> 43:21.629 some are in train others we've not yet 43:21.639 --> 43:25.090 seen . And so we're tracking this 43:25.820 --> 43:28.449 between us , between our teams with the 43:28.459 --> 43:31.040 Israelis and those who are working on 43:31.050 --> 43:33.889 the humanitarian response every single 43:33.899 --> 43:36.129 day . Uh I know as the secretary said , 43:36.139 --> 43:37.917 he'll be speaking to um Defense 43:37.917 --> 43:39.861 Minister Gallant , I believe later 43:39.861 --> 43:41.861 today and I'm sure that will , that 43:41.861 --> 43:44.083 will come up . So we're very focused on 43:44.083 --> 43:46.195 making sure that uh the steps that we 43:46.195 --> 43:48.195 outlined in the letter are actually 43:48.195 --> 43:50.195 taken and implemented and sustained 43:50.195 --> 43:52.361 because what we've seen in the past is 43:52.361 --> 43:54.810 this , we've seen Israel take important 43:54.820 --> 43:57.320 steps . For example , this spring also 43:57.330 --> 44:00.790 in response to what the United States 44:00.800 --> 44:03.340 said was necessary to improve the 44:03.350 --> 44:05.406 humanitarian situation for people in 44:05.406 --> 44:07.406 Gaza . And we saw real progress and 44:07.406 --> 44:10.379 then we saw it diminish and , and then 44:10.389 --> 44:12.979 tail off . Uh which is one of the 44:12.989 --> 44:15.580 reasons we felt it was so imperative to 44:15.590 --> 44:17.757 uh to write to our counterparts and to 44:17.757 --> 44:19.909 see action taken on this in terms of 44:19.919 --> 44:22.141 our engagement with China . I mentioned 44:22.141 --> 44:24.090 earlier that we had uh a robust 44:24.100 --> 44:26.267 engagement just this week . And what I 44:26.267 --> 44:28.322 can tell you is that happens between 44:28.439 --> 44:30.495 senior officials in our government , 44:30.495 --> 44:32.719 including the state Department and uh 44:32.729 --> 44:34.229 and the Chinese government 44:36.280 --> 44:40.110 regarding the progress with respect to 44:40.120 --> 44:42.453 the delivery of humanitarian assistance . 44:42.560 --> 44:44.739 I agree with what Tony has said , we 44:44.750 --> 44:47.239 are seeing progress and uh and we'll 44:47.250 --> 44:50.139 continue to watch this on a daily basis 44:50.149 --> 44:51.982 and I will continue to engage my 44:51.982 --> 44:55.110 counterpart and encourage him to , to 44:55.120 --> 44:57.750 pick up the pace , you know , more 44:57.760 --> 45:01.590 crossings being opened , more 45:01.800 --> 45:04.080 humanitarian assistance going in . We 45:04.090 --> 45:06.040 just got to make sure that they 45:06.050 --> 45:09.080 increase it even more . The question . 45:09.090 --> 45:11.201 The other question you had for me was 45:11.201 --> 45:15.189 that based upon 10,000 troops from a 45:15.199 --> 45:18.929 DPRK that have entered the , the battle 45:18.939 --> 45:22.439 space ? Is it possible for Ukraine to 45:22.449 --> 45:26.320 hold on to Kursk ? The answer is yes . 45:26.679 --> 45:29.139 And , and you know , if you take a look 45:29.149 --> 45:31.149 at , you know what I what I said 45:31.159 --> 45:33.149 earlier in terms of the numbers of 45:33.159 --> 45:36.310 casualties that Russia is , 45:37.149 --> 45:40.060 is suffering on a daily basis , some 45:40.070 --> 45:43.709 1250 or so casualties per day . 45:44.780 --> 45:47.169 You do the math on a given month . 45:47.179 --> 45:49.290 That's those are pretty big numbers . 45:49.389 --> 45:52.879 And so the number of 10,000 kind of 45:52.889 --> 45:55.649 pales in comparison to those kinds of 45:55.659 --> 45:59.620 casualties . So this 45:59.629 --> 46:02.379 10,000 won't come close to replacing 46:02.389 --> 46:04.860 the numbers that the Russians have lost . 46:05.429 --> 46:08.149 And again , I think they're at a point 46:08.159 --> 46:11.030 now that if they got to go seeking for 46:11.040 --> 46:14.709 assistance to a country like the DPRK 46:15.050 --> 46:17.106 and I think , I think they have some 46:17.106 --> 46:19.272 problems . But yes , I do believe that 46:19.272 --> 46:21.217 they can , they can hold on to the 46:21.217 --> 46:23.328 territory if they choose to do that . 46:23.328 --> 46:25.383 They do have options , they can do a 46:25.383 --> 46:25.320 number of things , but if they choose 46:25.330 --> 46:27.850 to do that , they can hold it . And 46:27.860 --> 46:29.804 just before turning my colleague , 46:29.804 --> 46:31.916 there's one thing I want to make sure 46:31.916 --> 46:34.138 that I emphasize as well because I'd be 46:34.138 --> 46:36.360 remiss if I didn't say it . Of course , 46:36.360 --> 46:38.582 the other absolute requirement for this 46:38.582 --> 46:37.909 war to come to an end is for the 46:37.919 --> 46:40.330 hostages to come home . And that 46:40.340 --> 46:43.169 includes the seven Americans . So we're 46:43.179 --> 46:46.100 working on that every single day , but 46:46.110 --> 46:49.280 that is absolutely necessary . And with 46:49.290 --> 46:51.959 every passing day increasingly urgent . 46:57.010 --> 47:00.669 Nah , on North 47:00.739 --> 47:03.850 Korea's munition support to 47:04.350 --> 47:07.070 Russia , it will be in the hundreds of 47:07.080 --> 47:11.080 thousands . So it's not 1 million or 47:11.090 --> 47:14.280 2 million , but it's close to tens of 47:14.290 --> 47:17.929 millions of and missiles will be about 47:17.939 --> 47:21.770 1000/1000 missiles have 47:21.780 --> 47:23.030 been provided . 47:25.520 --> 47:27.949 And for the final question , Min , Lee 47:27.959 --> 47:31.760 with chosen neo . Thank 47:31.770 --> 47:33.992 you . My first question is to Secretary 47:33.992 --> 47:36.679 Austin . Has there been any new US 47:36.689 --> 47:38.633 intelligence or assessment of what 47:38.633 --> 47:40.522 Russia might offer North Korea in 47:40.522 --> 47:42.467 exchange for deploying over 10,000 47:42.467 --> 47:44.245 troops , whether in the form of 47:44.245 --> 47:46.022 military aid , advanced weapons 47:46.022 --> 47:48.729 technology or economic support . And to 47:48.739 --> 47:51.439 Secretary Lincoln as dprk's nuclear and 47:51.449 --> 47:53.590 missile programs have become 47:53.600 --> 47:55.719 increasingly advanced . Us officials 47:55.729 --> 47:57.896 have been mentioning the interim steps 47:57.896 --> 48:00.300 to engage with North Korea which raised 48:00.310 --> 48:02.477 some speculations about whether the US 48:02.477 --> 48:05.310 is poised to employ a policy shift . 48:05.439 --> 48:07.661 There was no phrase denuclearization in 48:07.661 --> 48:09.828 the joint statement released yesterday 48:09.828 --> 48:12.409 after the after the SCM . So uh is the 48:12.419 --> 48:14.239 US moving the focus of the its 48:14.250 --> 48:16.800 diplomacy from the pursuit of complete 48:16.810 --> 48:19.032 denuclearization of the North Korean uh 48:19.032 --> 48:21.199 North Korea to one of deterrence ? 48:21.310 --> 48:21.899 Thanks . 48:26.409 --> 48:29.360 My question is for ministers . And 48:32.840 --> 48:35.060 yesterday , you talked about 48:35.070 --> 48:38.139 enhancement of IBM and there is a 48:38.149 --> 48:40.419 possibility that asking for advanced 48:40.429 --> 48:42.596 technology from Russia . And so do you 48:42.596 --> 48:44.651 have any signs that this is actually 48:44.651 --> 48:46.909 happening ? And if this concern is 48:46.919 --> 48:49.159 visualized comes to fruition , what 48:49.169 --> 48:51.113 will the Korean government do as a 48:51.113 --> 48:53.280 response ? And what are the preventive 48:53.280 --> 48:55.600 measures that we can take in terms of 48:56.800 --> 49:00.060 the DPRK may be getting in return for 49:00.070 --> 49:03.620 its provision of 10,000 troops , we , 49:03.629 --> 49:05.796 that's unknown at this point . But I , 49:06.159 --> 49:08.381 as you look at things , you would guess 49:08.381 --> 49:10.770 that technology would be at the top of 49:10.780 --> 49:13.750 the list . And , and that's again , one 49:13.760 --> 49:15.979 of those things that could be and will 49:15.989 --> 49:18.211 be destabilizing depending on what kind 49:18.211 --> 49:20.211 of technology we're talking about . 49:20.211 --> 49:22.211 Financial assistance and you can go 49:22.211 --> 49:23.989 down the list . All right . And 49:23.989 --> 49:27.260 certainly , DPRK 49:27.689 --> 49:30.699 stands a chance of , uh , of gaining in 49:30.709 --> 49:32.979 this in this exchange here . This is 49:32.989 --> 49:35.100 something that we're going to have to 49:35.100 --> 49:37.100 continue to watch very closely . It 49:37.100 --> 49:38.878 will embolden their potentially 49:38.878 --> 49:40.989 embolden them to do more of the kinds 49:40.989 --> 49:43.100 of things that , that we've seen them 49:43.100 --> 49:45.322 do here recently , especially the kinds 49:45.322 --> 49:47.378 of things that we saw yesterday with 49:47.378 --> 49:51.040 the launch of an ICBM and our policy 49:51.050 --> 49:53.689 remains what it has been and will 49:53.699 --> 49:55.421 remain , which is the complete 49:55.421 --> 49:57.143 denuclearization of the Korean 49:57.143 --> 50:00.159 Peninsula na 50:02.719 --> 50:06.399 on Russian technology transfer to North 50:06.409 --> 50:09.889 Korea . As of yet , nothing has been 50:09.899 --> 50:12.010 confirmed . It has not been confirmed 50:12.010 --> 50:13.955 as a fact , but we are just making 50:13.955 --> 50:15.955 predictions about the possibility . 50:18.629 --> 50:21.689 There will be a transfer of Russia 50:21.699 --> 50:25.206 technology to North Korea . We can 50:25.216 --> 50:27.716 overcome that through the advanced 50:27.726 --> 50:29.559 technology that the alliance has 50:33.565 --> 50:37.285 deter such a situation . I believe 50:37.295 --> 50:39.535 our efforts in that regard is most 50:39.545 --> 50:42.355 important in collaboration with the 50:42.365 --> 50:44.395 international community . We are 50:44.406 --> 50:46.902 engaged in strategic communication and 50:46.912 --> 50:50.451 coordinating independent sanctions for 50:50.461 --> 50:53.431 these activities . Have exactly that 50:53.441 --> 50:56.201 situation . Turns of the situation in 50:56.211 --> 50:59.431 mind . As the top priority . And once 50:59.441 --> 51:02.132 that's done as to what kind of actions 51:02.142 --> 51:04.812 to be taken , I will have to repeat the 51:04.822 --> 51:06.878 principle that I've already told you 51:06.878 --> 51:09.360 about . Thank you . Thank you all .