Tracking Number: 422941
Title: "Joint Communique of the 27th ROK-US Security Consultative Meeting."
Communique outlines topics discussed by South Korean Defense Minister Lee Yang Ho and US Secretary of Defense William Perry during their November 2-3 meeting, including North Korea-South Korea relations, deterrence, US-South Korean security arrangements and burdensharing. (951113)
Date: 19951113
Text:
U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE DISPATCH
PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
VOLUME 6, NUMBER 46, NOVEMBER 13, 1995
Joint Communique of the 27th R.O.K.-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting
Text of communique released following meeting, Seoul, South Korea, November 3, 1995.
1. The 27th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) between the Republic of Korea (R.O.K.) and the United States of America (U.S.) was held in Seoul, Korea on November 2-3, 1995. R.O.K. Minister of National Defense Lee Yang Ho and U.S. Secretary of Defense William J. Perry led their respective delegations, which included senior defense and foreign affairs officials. Prior to the SCM, the Chairmen of the respective Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Kim Dong Jin and General John M. Shalikashvili, presided over the 17th R.O.K.-U.S. Military Committee Meeting (MCM) on November 2, 1995. During his stay in Seoul, Secretary Perry paid a courtesy call on President Kim Young Sam and exchanged views on security issues of mutual concern.
2. Minister Lee and Secretary Perry reviewed the international situation and overall strategic environment on the Korean peninsula. They reaffirmed the view that the security of the Korean peninsula is essential to the stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region, which in turn is vital to the security of the United States and to world peace. They noted that U.S. forces in Korea have made and continue to make a significant contribution to the deterrence of war on the Korean peninsula and to the stability of the Northeast Asian region. They also agreed that the R.O.K.-U.S. long-term security relationship should continue to be developed in a mutually beneficial way.
3. Both ministers agreed that the full implementation of the Agreed Framework of October 21, 1994 would greatly enhance regional stability. They called upon North Korea to come into full compliance with its obligations under the NPT and its IAEA safeguards agreement, in order to ensure transparency of past, present, and future nuclear activities of North Korea, as required by the Agreed Framework. They affirmed that the Republic of Korea and the United States would continue to work together to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. They further agreed that a conventional arms control program and other confidence-building measures between the South and the North could reduce tension and contribute to mitigating confrontation on the Korean peninsula. Both ministers urged North Korea to comply with its international obligations and engage sincerely with the R.O.K. and U.S. to enhance regional stability. They stated that the hope for progress must be tempered by R.O.K.-U.S. combined resolve to watch closely and verify North Korea's implementation of international commitments.
4. Minister Lee and Secretary Perry also expressed serious concern that North Korea continues to build up conventional offensive forces and improve missile development programs. They agreed that these capabilities represent a threat to R.O.K. and U.S. national interests and objectives on the peninsula and in Northeast Asia as a whole.
5. Both ministers agreed that the R.O.K.-U.S. security alliance remains strong and is focused on deterring the outbreak of war on the Korean peninsula. They stressed that R.O.K.-U.S. military forces in Korea are a combined defensive force characterized by readiness, professionalism, discipline, vigilance, and high morale. They expressed satisfaction with the prudent improvements in defense plans and warfighting strategy, tactics, and support procedures that both sides have made. Secretary Perry reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to continue to modernize U.S. forces in Korea and to render prompt and effective assistance to repel any armed attack against the R.O.K., in accordance with the R.O.K.-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty of 1954, and to provide a nuclear umbrella for the R.O.K. Minister Lee reconfirmed that the transition of the R.O.K. to a leading role in the defense of the Korean peninsula would continue and that the R.O.K. would continue a robust Force Improvement Program. Both ministers were pleased that the recent transfer of peacetime operational control of select R.O.K. forces to the R.O.K. Government was highly successful. They also shared the view that combined military exercises held in 1995 have contributed significantly to deterrence and combined readiness.
6. The two Ministers emphasized that the peace and security of the Korean peninsula should be established through direct dialogue between South and North Korea. They also reemphasized that the "Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" should be implemented and urged that inter-Korean dialogue and cooperative measures should resume on the basis of the "Agreement on Reconciliation, Non-aggression, and Exchanges and Cooperation Between the South and North" (the South-North Basic Agreement) of 1992. Further, they agreed that the Military Armistice Agreement of 1953 remains valid until superseded by a permanent peace arrangement through direct negotiations between South and North Korea.
7. The two delegations discussed cost-sharing issues associated with the combined defense of the Republic of Korea. They noted with satisfaction that agreement in principle has been reached on a new cost-sharing accord. Under the terms of this agreement, the Government of the Republic of Korea will increase its cost-sharing contribution by 10% annually for the next three years. This will result in a contribution of U.S. $330 million by the R.O.K. Government in 1996. Secretary Perry acknowledged the R.O.K. Government's significant contribution to the maintenance of U.S. forces in Korea, which is essential to combined R.O.K.-U.S. defense capabilities.
8. Minister Lee and Secretary Perry agreed that the Subcommittees of the SCM, the Policy Review Subcommittee and the Logistics, Security, and Defense Technology and Industrial Cooperation Committees, contributed greatly to the success of the SCM. They agreed that R.O.K.-U.S. logistics, defense industry, and technology cooperation, including joint research and development projects, should be developed in a mutually beneficial manner.
9. The two delegations agreed that the 27th SCM and the 17th MCM were an excellent opportunity to further solidify the R.O.K.-U.S. alliance and consider issues dealing with future security cooperation. The Minister and the Secretary agreed to maintain their close consultations and to hold the next SCM at a mutually convenient time in 1996 in Washington, D.C.
10. Secretary Perry expressed his appreciation to Minister Lee and the R.O.K. delegation for their warm welcome, gracious hospitality, and the excellent arrangements that made this meeting successful.
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Product Name: Dispatch, Vol 6 No 46 Nov 13 1995
Product Code: DP
Keywords: KOREA (SOUTH)-US RELATIONS; KOREA (NORTH)/Defense & Military; MILITARY CAPABILITIES; DEFENSE MINISTERS
MEETINGS; LEE YANG HO; TREATIES & AGREEMENTS; SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS; BURDENSHARING
Document Type: TXT
Thematic Codes: 1EA
PDQ Text Link: 422941
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