South Korea, China agree to boost 'strategic' communications
Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe is seen at the IISS Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore, June 1, 2019. Reuters-Yonhap
The defense chiefs of South Korea and China agreed Saturday to push for various measures, including the establishment of more military hotlines, to promote mutual trust and deepen exchanges and cooperation, Seoul's defense ministry said Saturday.
South Korean Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo and Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe reached the agreement during a meeting held on the sidelines of the Asia Security Summit, better known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore.
During the talks, the ministers shared the need to boost "strategic communications" for regional peace and stability, while agreeing that China's constructive role is crucial in achieving the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and a lasting peace, according to the ministry.
In order to strengthen their ties, the two sides vowed to push for various measures such as the opening of additional communication lines between their navies and air forces. Currently, Seoul and Beijing maintain one such line between their armed services.
South Korean Minister of National Defence Jeong Kyeong-doo delivers his speech during the second plenary session of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) 18th Asia Security Summit in Singapore, June 1, 2019. EPA-Yonhap
They also agreed to work toward signing a memorandum of understanding on disaster relief and humanitarian assistance cooperation.
"The two ministers confirmed that their military exchanges and cooperation have been on the right track," the ministry said in a release.
Bilateral military exchanges between Seoul and Beijing have recently shown signs of recovery, after the serious deterioration of ties following South Korea's decision in 2016 to install a U.S. missile defense system called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) on its soil.
Though South Korea and the United States have said the system aims at better defending against missile threats from Pyongyang, China protested strongly, claiming that it would hurt its strategic security interests. (Yonhap)