Seoul, Washington agree to further develop military capabilities

Seoul and Washington have agreed on the importance of maintaining a robust combined defense on the Korean Peninsula as a strong deterrent against provocations from North Korea.

Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se had a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in the Pentagon on Monday and exchanged views on North Korea, Northeast Asia, and the U.S.-ROK alliance.

The secretary and the minister shared the view that the recent development in North Korea is very serious and reaffirmed that both sides must continue to make progress to develop and acquire critical military capabilities necessary to maintain and strengthen our combined defense posture.

“The crucial role of the U.S.-ROK Alliance, which serves as a linchpin for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region,” Secretary Hagel said. “The United States has solid commitment to the defense of the ROK."

Minister Yun will meet with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez on Tuesday. It remains to be seen what Secretary Kerry will say about Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine, the controversial war shrine.