What did Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul say during his first visit to Camp Humphreys?

Kang reaffirmed the solid combined defense posture and close coordination between South Korea and the United States. He also stressed the importance of the resolve to fight together and called for an airtight defense posture.

Who did Kang Shin-chul meet at Camp Humphreys, and what issues were discussed?

Kang met U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson at the main U.S. military base south of Seoul. They discussed key pending issues, and the possible topics included the DMZ land mine blast and the wartime operational control transition.

Why was Kang Shin-chul’s Camp Humphreys visit considered significant?

It was his first visit there in his new role after taking office last month, and it came as the allies were dealing with a grave security landscape on the Korean Peninsula. Kang also praised the senior leadership of USFK, the U.N. Command and the Combined Forces Command for their commitment to peace and stability.

Defense chief highlights S. Korea-US alliance, readiness on 1st visit to USFK base

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Summary

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul underscored the South Korea-U.S. alliance and combined readiness during his first visit to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek on Friday. He met U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson and discussed key pending issues. The ministry said Kang stressed close coordination, an airtight defense posture and the resolve to fight together amid a grave security landscape on the Korean Peninsula. The visit also likely touched on the DMZ land mine blast and wartime operational control transition efforts.

Key Facts

Kang Shin-chul made his first visit in his new capacity to Camp Humphreys, about 60 kilometers south of Seoul, since taking office last month.
Kang is a retired Army general and former deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command.
The ministry said Kang met U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson and discussed key pending issues.
The U.N. Command oversees the border area where last week’s land mine blast in the Demilitarized Zone injured three South Korean troops.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 2, 2026 4:50 pm KST

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul, left, speaks with U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson during their meeting at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. Courtesy of Ministry of National Defense

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul underscored the South Korea-U.S. alliance and their firm combined readiness during his first visit to the main U.S. military base south of Seoul on Friday, his office said.

The trip marked Kang's first visit in his new capacity to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, about 60 kilometers south of Seoul, since taking office last month.

Kang, a retired Army general and former deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC), met with U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson and discussed "key pending issues," the defense ministry said, without providing further details.

"Minister Kang reaffirmed the solid combined defense posture and close coordination between South Korea and the United States," the ministry said in a release.

"He highlighted the importance of the resolve to 'fight together,' citing lessons from the history of war, and called for an airtight defense posture amid a grave security landscape on the Korean Peninsula," it said.

Discussions may well have included last week's land mine blast in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that injured three South Korean troops. The border area is overseen by the U.N. Command (UNC), where Brunson also serves as commander, as well as the CFC.

They also likely discussed the ongoing efforts toward the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean troops from Washington to Seoul.

Kang also commended the senior leadership of the USFK, UNC and CFC for their commitment to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, the USFK said in a separate readout.

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