US, South Korea discuss Korean peninsula security, regional cooperation

Talks also covered North Korea’s improving nuclear, missile capabilities and its military ties with Russia

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – The US and South Korea on Sunday discussed bolstering their security cooperation amid North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile capabilities and growing military ties with Russia, Yonhap News reported.

The understanding was reached during meetings in Seoul between Adm. Samuel Paparo Jr., commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, and South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.

Paparo and Ahn agreed that Pyongyang’s “improving” nuclear and missile programs, combined with its military cooperation with Moscow, pose a “great threat” to peace in the Indo-Pacific. Both reaffirmed the need for trilateral coordination with Japan to counter North Korea’s “nuclear and missile threats.”

In talks with Cho, Paparo reviewed the state of the South Korea-US alliance and broader regional security. The two sides also highlighted South Korea’s role as an “ideal partner” for revitalizing the US manufacturing sector and agreed to pursue concrete measures in bilateral cooperation on shipbuilding.

Cho and Paparo further stressed the role of US Forces Korea in maintaining peace and stability, saying both countries would work to preserve a strong readiness posture.

*Writing by Aamir Latif

Kaynak:

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