1. The Korean government welcomes the agreement by the governments of the United States and Russia to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) for five years.

2. The Korean government is of the view that the extension of the treaty will contribute to strengthening the global nuclear non-proliferation regime based on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as well as enhancing international peace and stability.

3. The Korean government hopes that the extension of the treaty will further contribute to advancing discussions on arms control arrangements in due consideration of the changing global security environment.