1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha met with General Vincent Brooks, the commander of US Forces Korea (commander of Combined Forces Command and the United Nations Command), on November 3. The two sides discussed ways to work together to ensure a successful visit to the Republic of Korea by President Trump, and exchanged views on the North Korean nuclear issue and the ROK-US alliance.

2. Minister Kang congratulated General Brooks for receiving the Tongil Medal, the Order of National Security Merit, at the Armed Forces Day ceremony (September 28), becoming the first USFK commander to be awarded the Medal during service, and took note of the dedication and hard work of USFK, which has been maintaining a strong allied defense posture amid the grave security situation on the Korean Peninsula.

3. General Brooks expressed appreciation to Minister Kang for extending congratulations, reaffirmed the firm US commitment to the defense of the ROK, and stressed that USFK is maintaining a strong allied defense posture that enables an immediate response to any threats from North Korea.

4. Minister Kang asked for active cooperation from General Brooks to make sure that on the Korean Peninsula, ground zero for dealing with the North Korean nuclear and missile issue, President Trump’s state visit on November 7-8 will reaffirm the importance of the ROK-US alliance, send a strong warning to deter North Korea’s provocations, and become a turning point to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue through peaceful and diplomatic means. General Brooks said that USFK will play its role to make a success of President Trump’s visit to the ROK in all areas.

5. Minister Kang and General Brooks shared the view that given the recent security situation on the Korean Peninsula, close cooperation between the two countries’ diplomatic and defense authorities (2+2) is becoming more important than ever, and agreed to continue to further strengthen cooperation between the two sides through various channels.


* unofficial translation