U.S. Hopes for Resuming Inter-Korean Defense Talks

The South Korea-U.S. agreed on the need for the presence of U.S. troops in South Korea as well as the need for the development of future-oriented South Korea-U.S. alliance in accordance with the changes in East Asia. Defense Minister Kim Dong-Shin agreed with U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld at the talks held in Washington on Thursday on these issues, said the Ministry of Defense.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld announced that the U.S.’ security commitment to South Korea would not change, despite the Bush administration’s MD plan and the changes in the defense policy. Rumsfeld strongly supported the Seoul government`s engagement policy toward North Korea, while expressing his hope of holding inter-Korean defense ministers` talks at an early date.

With regard to North Korea’s conventional arms threat, Minister Kim said that ``South Korea-U.S. continue to make a blueprint through a closer policy coordination. While proceeding with the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement, South Korea should initiate.`` Rumsfeld agreed with him, said the Ministry of Defense.

12th article of the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement, made in 1992, states that South-North Joint Military Committee should be established to observe and secure the nonaggression. The South-North Joint Military Committee can deal with issues in relation to the building of military trust and the realization of the arms reduction through the removal of the attack ability of weapons of the massive destruction and the gradual arms reduction. Two ministers also agreed on the successful implementation of North Korea-U.S. Geneva Agreement on Nuclear and the resolution of the North Korea’s missile issue.

Lee Chol-Hi klimt@donga.com