The 60-year alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea is crucial for security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. The United States reaffirms its commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea in the wake of recent unacceptable provocations by North Korea.

Both sides agree on the importance of the denuclearization of North Korea, knowing that North Korea's dangerous nuclear and missile programs threaten not only its neighbors, but also its own people.

The United States stands vigilantly by the Republic of Korea's side, and is prepared for and capable of defending and protecting itself and its allies. Both of our countries are taking prudent measures - both military and diplomatic - to enhance our security. At the same time, the two countries remain committed to the goal of peaceful denuclearization. In this context, the United States welcomes the Trust-building Process on the Korean Peninsula proposed by President Park Geun-hye.

We will continue working with all Six-Party partners and the international community to make clear that North Korea must adhere to its international obligations and commitments or face further isolation. We will continue to encourage North Korea to make the right choice. If North Korea does so, we are prepared to implement the commitments under 2005 Six-party Joint Statement. But Pyongyang must prove its seriousness by taking meaningful steps to abide by its international obligations. /END/

☞ ROK-US Foreign Ministers’ Joint Press Conference (Apr. 12, 2013)




1. On the afternoon of April 11, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) who is on a visit to the Republic of Korea. The two sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues, including the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, ways for the ROK and NATO to work together and global issues.

2. Minister Yun explained the Park Geun-hye government’s foreign policy aimed to promote peace and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. He added that amid escalating threats of provocation from North Korea, the ROK government is maintaining a strong deterrence against the North in order to deter any further provocations. He went on to say that the ROK government is also working closely with its allies to manage the situation in a stable manner.

○ Minister Yun highlighted the need for the international community, including NATO, to send to North Korea a clear and consistent message that the country cannot achieve anything through threats and provocations and that it should make a right choice.

3. Secretary-General Rasmussen noted with appreciation the ROK government’s balanced responses to the latest developments and brought renewed attention to the NATO statement of February 12 issued on the heels of the latest nuclear test by North Korea. He conveyed NATO’s deep concern over the latest series of actions by North Korea. He mentioned that the country should immediately stop such threatening rhetoric and refrain from any further provocative actions. Instead, it should faithfully comply with decisions of the international community, including the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

* Immediately after North Korea’s third nuclear test, the North Atlantic Council, NATO’s premier decision-making organ, issued a statement on February 12, condemning North Korea’s action and urging an immediate stop to such provocative actions.

○ With regard to the Northeast Asian Peace and Cooperation Initiative being pursued by the ROK government, the Secretary-General explained the Helsinki Process, which paved the way for ending the Cold War and building peace and cooperation in Europe. He expressed a keen interest in the Initiative, mentioning such a case in Europe carries significant great implications for pursuing a trust process in Northeast Asia.

4. Minister Yun noted that the ROK-NATO Individual Partnership Cooperation Programme will contribute to promoting substantive cooperation between the two in the field of security. Underscoring the need for cooperation in cyber security, in particular, he requested that high-level NATO officials attend the “Seoul Conference on Cyberspace 2013” to be held in Korea this October.

○ The Minister explained the interim findings – announced on April 10 -- of the ongoing investigation into the cyber terror that occurred on March 20. In response, Secretary-General Rasmussen proposed that the two sides work together in cyber defense and various other fields.

5. Secretary-General Rasmussen extended his deep appreciation to the ROK for its participation in and other support for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF). He asked Minister Yun to visit the NATO Headquarters at the earliest possible date to further deepen and advance the ROK-NATO relations.

6. Secretary-General Rasmussen’s visit to the ROK marked the first of its kind by a head of NATO since its inception in 1949. It served as an opportunity for the ROK to win support from NATO for its new government’s policy to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. It also provided an opportunity to explore ways for the ROK and NATO to work together in new fields as global partners.

* unofficial translation