Seoul: South Korea's new Defense Minister, Ahn Gyu-back, has reaffirmed his commitment to bolstering the defense cooperation between South Korea and the United States. In his inaugural address, Ahn described the alliance as a "linchpin" of the country's security. He emphasized the importance of expanding this cooperation to develop the alliance into a "global comprehensive strategic alliance" that aligns with national interests.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Ahn's statements followed his official appointment by President Lee Jae Myung earlier in the day. In his address, Ahn urged the military to maintain political neutrality and focus on protecting the nation from external threats, highlighting the advancing nuclear and missile capabilities of North Korea and the broader uncertainties in global security.
Ahn also expressed his intention to support military efforts aimed at establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula. He committed to keeping channels for dialogue open while concurrently strengthening deterrence measures. Currently, approximately 28,500 US soldiers are stationed in South Korea to deter and counter potential threats from North Korea. The Korean Peninsula remains in a state of technical war, as the 1950-53 Korean War concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.