1 of 2 | The U.S.-South Korea relationship, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (R) said Wednesday, “has been the foundation of peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.” The U.S., he says, is “closely tracking” DPRK troops making their way from North Korea into Russia to aid its war with Ukraine. Photo by Shawn Thew/EPA-EFE
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Top U.S. and South Korean defense officials announced an "outstanding" meeting in which several current global defense topics were discussed and the two participants "tackled shared challenges ... to deepen our friendship."
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and South Korea's Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun met Wednesday for the 56th security consultative meeting between the United States and the Republic of Korea.
At a Pentagon press briefing in Washington, the two groups outlined the "ironclad" relationship and defense commitments between the two nations, gave updates on the North Korean troop advancements toward eastern Ukraine, addressed the United Nations' role and a now-endorsed framework for expanded regional cooperation.
The United States, according to Kim, gave South Korea its "unwavering commitment to provide extended deterrence" for defense.
The U.S.-South Korea relationship, Austin said Wednesday, "has been the foundation of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula." That relationship, according to South Korea's defense minister, "has overcome countless challenges and established itself as one of the worlds most premier alliances."
The United States, Austin said, is "closely tracking" North Korea's troops making their way into Russia to aid in its invading war with Ukraine.
"Some of those troops have begun to make their way towards the border of Ukraine in the Kursk region," Austin said. "Whether or not they'll be employed in the fight is left to be seen yet."
Officials say evidence suggests at least 10,000 North Korean soldiers have made their way closer to war-torn Ukraine and getting fitted with Russian uniforms and military equipment in possible preparation to join Russian troops in battle against the Ukrainians.
Austin called for the North to "cease their potentially destabilizing behavior," which he added has the potential to "lengthen or broaden" ongoing military conflicts.
Russia and North Korea are "now an existential threat" to South Korea and the Pacific region, South Korea's minister of defense stated Wednesday.
The current movement of North Korean troops for Russian military exercises "can result in the escalation of security threats on the peninsula," Kim added.
U.S. defense secretary added that he's "increasingly concerned" North Korean troops will be used in battle against Ukraine.
That "likelihood is high," he said, adding how Russian President Vladimir Putin has "not achieved his objectives" or strategic goals in Ukraine.
But Russia's conventional weapon capabilities, according to South Korea's defense minister, "is not as formidable as we expected it to be."
And amid the pending U.S. presidential election, Kim said "the possibility is not high" North Korean actors will interfere in the election as Russia has been known to do. "There isn't a high chance. However, I believe there's a high chance they'll want to exaggerate" their role, he countered.
But "Putin will not prevail in Ukraine. Even with help from North Korea," stated Austin. "Turning to a pariah state like North Korea shows just how much trouble [Putin's] in."
According to Austin, Russia previously signed an agreement to not provide military assistance to North Korea. But if North Korean soldiers fight on behalf of Russia, Austin said the Ukrainians will have "the right to defend themselves," even with U.S. weaponry.
As such, North Korean soldiers "will be killed and wounded as a result of battle," the secretary said. "This is a violation of the U.N. security agreement," he said. "This is pretty serious."
Kim's first U.S. diplomatic mission
This was Kim's first overseas U.S. diplomatic mission, he said.
According to Kim, the two on Wednesday reaffirmed how the U.S.-South Korea relationship "remains more robust than ever amid complex international security crisis."
He was critical of what he described as Russia's "illegal aggression and invasion" in Ukraine amid talks to "strengthen security cooperation" in the region.
Current North Korean troop movements with Russia, he said, "constitutes a violation of the armistice agreement and call for an immediate cessation of this activity with one voice."
He called also for South Korea to "send observers" or an "analysis team" to look into Ukraine, and condemned Russia's military relationship with North Korea. Kim pledged South Korea will "closely work with the international community" amid growing nuclear and missile threats by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Trash balloons condemned
Kim also condemned ongoing "trash balloons" that have continuously been sent by the north into South Korean territory, which Kim said he confirmed "are a violation of the armistice agreement" and "poses a safety threat to our people."
Tests, he said, are done on trash contents to confirm if it contains biological substances.
"North Korea is crossing the line" with its methods of provocation, he said.
There's "a high chance," according to Kim, that North Korea will ask Russia for and may likely get technology transfers such as nuclear weapons, advancement of intercontinental ballistic missiles, reconnaissance supplies and ballistic missile submarines.
"I believe such chances will increase the escalation of threats on the peninsula," he said.
As for the real threat of Russian war technology getting into North Korean hands, Kim stated, "I believe it is possible for us to overcome such challenges based on the robust U.S. alliance" that secures "sufficient capabilities" in order to overcome those challenges.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, both Austin and Kim are expected to join U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul for a joint summit of the nation's foreign and defense officials.
And according to Department of Defense, Thursday's aim will be to "align our diplomatic and defense efforts, ensuring that bilateral activities are synchronized to advance our Alliance's shared values and interests."