First US-Korea Defense Ministers' Joint Call "Deepening and Developing US-Korea Alliance, Discussing MRO Cooperation"

[Financial News] Minister of National Defense Ahn Kyu-baek had his first joint call with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after taking office, reaffirming the strength of the US-Korea alliance and combined defense posture. 
According to the Ministry of Defense on the 31st, the ministers of both countries agreed that this joint call is an important opportunity to broaden mutual understanding and further deepen and develop the US-Korea alliance. They also agreed to continue in-depth discussions on strengthening the US-Korea alliance at the earliest possible time.
Minister Ahn emphasized, "As the first Minister of National Defense of the People's Sovereignty Government, I feel a great responsibility to further develop the achievements of the US-Korea alliance over the past 70 years," adding, "The US-Korea alliance is a blood-forged alliance, an inseparable relationship like the two axes of a wheel."
He also added, "I hope to further deepen and develop the US-Korea alliance into a 'future-oriented comprehensive strategic alliance' through close cooperation with Secretary Hegseth."
In response, Secretary Hegseth reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea. The defense ministers of both countries agreed to maintain close cooperation to respond to North Korea's threats, including illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, and to deepen extended deterrence cooperation, according to the Ministry of Defense.
Furthermore, the ministers of both countries agreed to continue discussions to modernize the US-Korea alliance in a mutually beneficial manner amid the changing regional security environment. To this end, they plan to further expand alliance cooperation in various fields such as shipbuilding, MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), and advanced science and technology.

wangjylee@fnnews.com Lee Jong-yoon Reporter