National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Director of National Security Shin Wonsik of the Republic of Korea (ROK) on October 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C., to discuss bilateral cooperation and global and regional security issues, particularly regarding the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and its deployment of troops to Russia.

The two officials condemned in the strongest possible terms the DPRK’s ongoing support to Russia’s brutal and illegal war against Ukraine, including the deployment of troops to Russia as well as the transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia and Russia’s use of these missiles against Ukraine. The DPRK’s support is directly increasing the suffering of the Ukrainian people, violates multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions, undermines the global non-proliferation regime, and has significant security implications for Europe, the Korean Peninsula, and the Indo-Pacific region. The two officials committed to continuing close cooperation in support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

The two officials discussed recent concerning actions taken by the DPRK, including changes to its constitution to define the ROK as a hostile state and the bombing of roads and railways connecting the South and North. The two officials reaffirmed that the United States and the ROK will maintain a strong combined defense posture in the face of the DPRK’s activities in border areas. National Security Advisor Sullivan reiterated the U.S. ironclad commitment to the ROK.

National Security Advisor Sullivan noted the precedent-setting cooperation between the United States that has been spearheaded by the leadership of President Biden and President Yoon. In particular, they noted the adoption of the U.S.-ROK Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula in July. The U.S.-ROK Alliance has expanded into a truly global partnership. From cooperation on the world’s most challenging security threats to setting the foundation for a clean energy future, the two officials agreed that the Alliance is poised to stand the test of time.

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