By Michael Ha
Staff Reporter
The U.S. defense chief affirmed that the United States remains committed to defending South Korea and that its armed forces would respond ``quickly with appropriate military power'' in case of military emergency.
South Korea will also continue to receive protection offered by the ``U.S. nuclear umbrella,'' according to the U.S. official.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates offered these statements in a joint communique following the annual Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) with Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee, held in Washington Friday.
The statement noted that ``Secretary Gates assured Minister Lee of a firm U.S. commitment and immediate support toward the Republic of Korea, including continuation of the extended deterrence offered by the U.S. nuclear umbrella, consistent with the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty.''
According to South Korean officials, the U.S. commitment would include deploying reinforcements of up to 690,000 American troops, 160 naval vessels and more than 2,000 warplanes in the event South Korea faces military threats from the North, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Secretary Gates also offered ``firm assurances'' that the transition of wartime operational control will be carried out in a manner that ``strengthens deterrence and maintains a fully capable U.S.-ROK combined defense posture on the Korean Peninsula.''
``The U.S. remains committed, both now and into the future, to respond quickly with appropriate military power to restore peace and stability to the Korean Peninsula,'' according to the joint statement.
Secretary Gates affirmed that the United States ``will continue to provide significant bridging capabilities until the Republic of Korea obtains full self-defense capabilities.''
Gates also noted that the United States is committed to keeping the current U.S. troop level in Korea, as agreed upon between President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President George W. Bush at a Camp David summit in April.
The two ministers also affirmed the schedule for South Korea's retaking of wartime command of its more than 600,000 troops in April 2012.
The two ministers also pledged to continue to cooperate in the global war on terror.
``Secretary Gates expressed appreciation for the significant contribution the ROK forces have made for the past four years to the stability and reconstruction of Iraq, and congratulated the return on success of the ROK armed forces for successfully accomplishing its mission with honor and dignity,'' according to the joint statement.