1. On August 17, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with US Senator Tom Cotton, who was on a visit to the Republic of Korea, and exchanged views with him on ways to strengthen the ROK-US alliance as well as the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

2. Minister Yun, welcoming the Senator’s first visit to the ROK, noted with appreciation that the dynamic ROK-US alliance, a linchpin of the ROK’s diplomatic and security policies, is playing a pivotal role in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. He went on to underscore the need for close ROK-US collaboration in promoting peace and cooperation in the region.

3. The Minister, bringing attention to the increasingly uncertain situation in North Korea, mentioned that the ROK and the US should maintain a firm response posture toward North Korea based on their steadfast combined defense capability. In that vein, the Minister extended appreciation to the Senator for visiting and expressing sympathy on August 16 to one of the ROK soldiers who had sustained severe injuries in the recent landmine provocation by North Korea in the inter-Korean demilitarized zone.

◦ Senator Cotton shared the Minister’s view that the ROK and the US need to maintain a strong combined defense posture in a bid to deter provocations from North Korea and prevent the inter-Korean military tensions from escalating. He added that he would actively cooperate in this regard as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

4. Minister Yun explained the ROK government’s policy toward North Korea, which calls for steady efforts to improve inter-Korean relations based on relevant principles and thereby pave the way for the unification of the Korean Peninsula. He asked for cooperation from the US Congress, particularly Senator Cotton’s attention and support, in that regard.

◦ Senator Cotton voiced willingness to make every effort to strengthen the ROK-US alliance and maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.


* unofficial translation