Speaker 1 (01:14):
The US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth and I together visited JSA yesterday. We had a discussion on wide range of topics, including the security issues on the Korean Peninsula. Also, during our 57th ROK-US Security Consultative Meeting, this meeting served as a great opportunity for us to have an in depth discussion on the importance of the ROK-US alliance and also the future direction of our shared efforts. In regards to the joint communique, as our joint fact sheet between our two countries has not been finalized yet, the joint communique will be issued after the final issuance of the joint fact sheet. Now I'd like to move on to our opening remarks. So, this is the Minister of National Defense of Republic of Korea, [inaudible 00:02:04]. First, I'd like to extend my warm welcome and sincere appreciation to the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, and the members of the United States delegation, for visiting the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea.
(02:19)
I highly command Secretary Hegseth for the bald reforms he has pursued since assuming office, to make the United States Armed Forces already the strongest in the world, even more powerful and efficient. I'm confident that the stronger deterrence brought by these reforms will make a significant contribution to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the region. Today, Secretary Hegseth and I reaffirm the robust ROK-US military alliance and the Staff S combined defense posture during the 57th ROK-US Security Consultative Meeting, the first convened since the inauguration of our new administrations.
(02:59)
Furthermore, based on mutual trust and cooperation, we discussed ways to respond to the rapidly changing security environment and emerging threats, and also identified avenues for defense cooperation that will advance our alliance in a future-oriented and mutually beneficial manner. I will be able to provide more detailed information about our meeting after we release our joint communique.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
Well, good afternoon to everybody, especially our friends in Korea. Minister Ahn, thank you for hosting the 57th Security Consultative Meeting and for hosting our trip to the JSA. It was my first time in Seoul as Secretary of War. And it's an honor to be here at a critical moment in the history of the US-ROK alliance.
(04:11)
Of course, we face, as we both acknowledge, a dangerous security environment, but our alliance is stronger than ever before. 72 years strong. And during the Security Consultative Meeting, Minister Ahn and I agreed to remain clear-eyed about the threats that we face. And that's why we have to continue as we do every single day, as we saw the DMC with Korean and US troops stand shoulder-to-shoulder, working together. We need to increase our defense cooperation by taking a common sense approach that is grounded in realism, building on the strong leadership of our presidents, President Trump and President Lee. And President Trump wants allies to be strong, and the Republic of Korea is a model ally.
(05:51)
Minister Ahn and I discussed practical steps that we can take to modernize the alliance. And I'm greatly encouraged by Minister Ahn's commitment to increase defense spending and to make greater investments in ROK military capabilities. This includes critical missile defense and space capabilities that our forces need to preserve the peace and prevail, God forbid, in war.
(06:47)
We agreed that these investments would accelerate the ROK's ability to lead its conventional deterrence and defense against North Korea. And Minister Ahn and I also discussed strengthening our readiness by energizing our defense industrial cooperation across the alliance. For the first time in history, we agreed to demonstrate the ability to maintain and repair US warships here in Korea. And doing this will harness this country's world-class shipbuilding capabilities.
(07:45)
Maintaining warships in theater will also ensure our most lethal capabilities remain ready to respond to any crisis. Soon we also plan to expand our cooperation to maintaining ground equipment in Korea as well. And doing this work in peacetime keeps our forces ready and it keeps them combat credible. Minister Ahn and I also agreed on the value of having our defense research labs and scientists work more closely together. And this cooperation ensures our war fighters have the most advanced and lethal technologies.
(09:05)
Our historic alliance is stronger than ever before and is vital to the Asia Pacific. I'm confident that we will continue to lead the region toward a more safe and secure future. So, thank you again, Minister Ahn, a friend and an ally. And thank you for spending this day with us.
Speaker 3 (10:48):
[foreign language 00:10:49].
Speaker 4 (10:49):
Su-Por Kim from Money Today, I actually have three questions for you, Secretary Hegseth. First question is, what were the differences in the stances between the two countries in the joint communique? Second question is regarding the nuclear-powered submarine. I assume there had been a conversation about the fuels of nuclear-powered submarine during the Security Consultative Meeting. What does US expect? What role does US expect the submarines in the Korean Peninsula and Indo-Pacific to play? What role do you expect them to play? The third question is about the approval of President Donald Trump on the provision of fuels for nuclear-powered submarine. So, I want to ask what exactly those approvals were made on. So, are the approvals made so that the ships could be built in Korea, but can get the fuels from the United States? Or are the Korean ship builders expected to build their ships in the US territory?
Speaker 2 (11:55):
Well, I would just start by saying it was not about differences. There are no differences. I think what you see is a historic deal that President Trump is the deal maker in chief. He opens up possibilities that other presidents do not. And so, I think his historic meeting with President Lee created new opportunities that led to an expansion of what that deal looks like, which includes our communique. And so, we feel very confident about what we've included. And as soon as that deal sheet comes out, the communique is coming out as well. So, there's no daylight and differences. There's simply a bigger deal, which takes a little bit more time and we anticipate we'll be solidified.
(12:37)
The next one is on nuclear-powered submarines. We're going to work closely with the Department of State and the Department of Energy to fulfill President Trump's commitment in a deliberate manner. And I think it's a reflection of something I said that the president wants allies to be strong. He wants our allies to have the best capabilities. And because Korea has been a model ally, he's open to opportunities like that, that ensure they have the best capabilities in their own defense and alongside us as allies. And then as far as the details of approval, that's a little bit outside my lane. So, I'm happy to not have to necessarily deal with every aspect of how that gets negotiated, but good faith talks, good faith discussions. The thing is, is Korea has an incredible shipbuilding industry, which we look forward to partnering with a lot more, whether it's surface warfare or submarines. So, there's going to be a great deal to be made. And I think it'll be mutually beneficial to both countries.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
[foreign language 00:16:18].
Speaker 2 (16:20):
One question.
Speaker 5 (16:22):
In the spirit of Kachi Kapsada, I've got a question for each of you. For the secretary, in May, the ROK Defense Ministry said US Forces Korea are for the defense of the peninsula. The joint statement by the chairman yesterday mentions the deterrence beyond the Korean Peninsula. Can you comment based on the consultations today on whether US forces in Korea can be used if needed for military operations against China in the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea or East China Sea? And for the minister, in January, the US Energy Department placed South Korea on its sensitive country's list over concerns and public statements about developing nuclear weapons. Do you support South Korea building its own nuclear weapons? Or if not, would you favor allowing US tactical nuclear weapons to be deployed on the peninsula?
Speaker 2 (17:21):
Well, thank you for the question. Oh, go ahead. Go a head.
Speaker 6 (17:21):
[foreign language 00:17:24].
Speaker 2 (18:44):
Thank you for the question. There's a reason why it was fitting that we went to the DMZ yesterday. It reminds you of the core of this alliance, that ultimately it's holding the line and protecting our ally from the DPRK, is what we have been and continue to be oriented on. But there's no doubt flexibility for regional contingencies is something we would take a look at, but we are focused on standing by our allies here and ensuring the threat of the DPRK is not a threat to the Republic of Korea and certainly continue to extend nuclear deterrence as we have before. So, we stand by our allies. There are also a lot of threats in the world, which we're prepared for. And we've had a lot of good faith conversations, but centered around ensuring that the ROK is able to, as we move forward, work with them, lead the conventional defense here on the peninsula against North Korea.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
Our commitment to the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula remains unwavering. Republic of Korea is a member state of MPT and therefore will not acquire nuclear weapons, and therefore we will not develop any nuclear weapons here in Korea. Moving on to your second question about the deployment of US tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula. My answer also aligns with my answer earlier. As we are not going to develop our own nuclear weapon, there is a strong need for us to combine the use of Korea's conventional forces and the United States' nuclear capability, resulting in a conventional nuclear integration initiative.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
All right. Thank you.
Speaker 3 (22:34):
We'd now like to conclude the joint press briefing.