South Korean Defense Minister Gen. Suh Wook spoke with his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe via telephone on Wednesday, with the two sides discussing avenues for cooperation in the defense and security arenas.
The South Korean defense ministry said that the two leaders discussed the situation on the Korean peninsula, and Gen. Suh asked for Beijing to play a “constructive role” for peace and stability in the region. In recent weeks, the security situation in the Korean Peninsula has become tense following the killing of a South Korean official at sea by North Korean troops in late September. Though North Korean leader Kim Jong-un offered a rare apology to South Korea over the incident, the country has resisted Seoul’s efforts to establish a joint inquiry into the matter. Furthermore, North Korea unveiled an array of new weaponry during a military parade earlier this month, including a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Progress on denuclearization has been stalled since last year, and Pyongyang in recent months has made clear its intentions to retain its nuclear arsenal.
During their talks on Wednesday, Mr. Wei stressed the importance of making joint efforts to achieve peace and security in the region, and both officials agreed to maintain close communication between their militaries, and ensure sustained cooperation. Just a day before, on Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to boost friendly relations with China, its most important trading partner.
The phone meeting between Gen. Suh and Mr. Wei was the first conversation between the two leaders, and ministry officials said that it was set up at the request of the Chinese side. The Chinese minister congratulated his counterpart for his inauguration last month, invited him for a visit to China, and thanked him for South Korea’s decision to repatriate the remains of its troops killed in the Korean War.
The talks also come amid an intensifying US-China rivalry. Gen. Suh, along with South Korea’s director of national security Suh Hoon, visited Washington last week, to meet with top US officials to discuss the countries’ defense and security alliance. The leaders discussed issues of mutual concern, including denuclearization as well as their avenues to improve cooperation in new arenas like space and cyberspace.
South Korea, China Discuss Security Cooperation
South Korean Defense Minister Gen. Suh Wook asked for Beijing to play a “constructive role” for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
October 22, 2020
South Korean Defense Minister Gen. Suh Wook. IMAGE SOURCE: THE KOREA HERALD