JCS chief, USFK commander affirm alliance's strength

The top military officers of South Korea's armed forces and the United States forces stationed in Korea reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral military cooperation, addressing security concerns amid regional uncertainties and political instability.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced Monday that Adm. Kim Myung-soo, who chairs South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Xavier Brunson, chief of the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command, spoke over the phone Monday afternoon.

Kim told Brunson that the Korea-US alliance serves as a lynchpin in safeguarding South Korea’s security and maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula.

In response, Brunson highlighted the importance of close communication between the two leaders. Brunson also stressed the importance of trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the US and Japan.

"Regional stability depends on the continued development of South Korea-US-Japan security collaboration," he said.

The JCS noted that both sides recognized the gravity of the current security environment on the Korean Peninsula. They agreed to strengthen communication to deter North Korean provocations and to manage the situation stably through a strong South Korea-US alliance and joint defense framework.

Brunson assumed the chair of the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command on Friday. The position also includes serving as the commander of the United Nations Command and the United States Forces Korea.