Defense minister, US lawmakers discuss alliance, security situation on Korean Peninsula
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, center, poses with Rep. Richard McCormick (R-GA), left, and Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) from the United States at the ministry in Seoul's Yongsan District, Thursday. Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Thursday met with visiting lawmakers from the United States, and discussed the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and the South Korea-U.S. alliance, the defense ministry said.
In a meeting with Rep. Richard McCormick (R-GA) and Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Ahn stressed that U.S. Congress' "steadfast support" for the alliance has laid the groundwork for the stable development of relations between the two nations, according to the ministry.
He also thanked U.S. Congress' "unwavering" support for Washington's commitment to providing extended deterrence to South Korea and maintaining a combined defense posture.
In response, the U.S. representatives shared the view that U.S. troops stationed in South Korea have been playing a key role in deterring North Korean threats, and maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula.
Ahn also requested U.S. Congress' support for cooperation between the two nations in the shipbuilding as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul sectors. (Yonhap)