1. Minister Yu Myung-hwan met with the U.S. Secretary of Defense 
Robert Gates on March 27 and exchanged views on a wide range 
of matters of mutual interest including preparation for a successful 
Korea-U.S. summit slated for April 19, and the current issues and 
the future of the Korea-U.S. alliance.

2. Minister Yu and Secretary Gates noted that the Korea-U.S. 
alliance played a core role for the peace and prosperity of the 
Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia based on common values 
and understanding. They agreed to continue to bolster the alliance 
accordingly to the changing security environment inside both 
countries and outside.

3. Secretary Gates noted that the readjustment of the Korea-U.S. alliance is going smoothly under close 
cooperation of both governments, and Minister Yu suggested that the two sides continue to have 
consultations on major issues concerning the alliance in a mutually beneficial way in the interest of peoples 
of both countries, respecting each other’s views at the same time. Minister Yu and Secretary Gates 
reconfirmed the support of the Pentagon on upgrading in Korea’s foreign military sales(FMS) status.

4. Moreover, Secretary Gates appreciated Korea’s efforts to aid the reconstruction of Afghanistan as well as 
dispatch troops to Iraq. In return, Minister Yu noted the efforts and contributions of the U.S. to settle peace 
and stability in the Middle East. Both sides agreed to work closely to expand the scope of the bilateral 
cooperation for the global issues. 

                                                                      Spokesperson of MOFAT

* unofficial translation