U.S. State Department: “Security Treaty for Korean Peninsula Will Not Change”

The United States announced on June 7 that it would continue to carry out its treaty and security commitment responsibilities regardless of the reduction of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).

During a briefing yesterday, Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman of the U.S. Department of State, said he didn’t agree with the presumption that withdrawal of USFK would weaken the nation’s defensive capability.

“The U.S. has cooperated well with its allies and allied nations regarding its plans to relocate U.S. forces stationed across the world,” Ereli said. “Our capacity to fulfill our commitment responsibilities based on the treaty will not change.”

“Relocation of military forces is aimed to efficiently cope with the threats of the 21st century,” he added.

Meanwhile, China’s special envoy for Korean Peninsula affairs, Ning Fukui, met with the U.S. Assistant State Secretary James Kelly and Chief U.S. Delegate for North Korea Joseph DeTrani at State Department offices to discuss plans for the upcoming six-way nuclear talks.

Soon-Taek Kwon maypole@donga.com