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Mattis reiterates Washington's security commitment to Seoul

by IBNS 03 Feb 2017, 11:45 am

Seou8l, Feb 3 (IBNS): U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis has retiterated his nation's security commitment to South Korea.

"Secretary Mattis met with Republic of Korea (ROK)Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-Ahn and ROKNational Security Advisor Kim Kwan-Jin today in Seoul, South Korea to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-ROK alliance," read a statement issued by the US Department of Defence.


During the meetings, ‎the secretary emphasized the priority that President Trump places on the Asia-Pacific, and on strengthening the U.S.-ROK alliance.

He also underscored that the United States remains steadfast in its commitment to defend the ROK and that the U.S. extended deterrence commitment remains ironclad.  ‎

Both ROK officials impressed upon Secretary Mattis the importance of close cooperation in the face of a growing North Korea nuclear and ballistic missile threat, read the statement.

The secretary responded that the alliance would continue to take defensive measures in response to this threat developments, such as the stationing of THAAD to Korean Peninsula.