U.S. and Korean defense ministers meet in Seoul on Jan 31st to discuss measures to curb North Korea's nuclear program

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit South Korea on January 31st and hold talks with South Korean Ministry of National Defense Secretary Lee Jung-seop. The talks are expected to discuss pending alliance issues such as mutual assistance in North Korea policy and strengthening the US' ability to curb expansion. The meeting will also be attended by high-ranking officials from both the US and South Korean defence ministries.

In particular, Secretary Austin is expected to confirm the status of preparations for the US-South Korea Extended Deterrence Exercise (DSC TTX) scheduled to take place next month. Unlike the past, which assumed a general crisis situation on the Korean Peninsula, this DSC TTX will formulate a response plan based on a scenario of North Korea's first use of nuclear weapons.

Prior to this, Lee said in a business report this year that he plans to hold at least three meetings with the US and South Korean defence ministers. It was reported that Austin would pay a courtesy call on President Yoon Seo-gyul during his visit to South Korea.

During a press conference on January 26th, Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh of the US Defense Department responded to a question about the agenda of her visit to South Korea, saying, "I think Secretary Austin will emphasize regional (defence) commitments." When asked whether Secretary Austin would pay a courtesy call on President Yoon during his visit to South Korea, she declined to give an immediate answer, saying, "We are not making any announcements about the meeting at this time."

Regarding the specific schedule of the visit, the U.S. Department of Defense said, "Secretary Austin will leave on the 29th to visit South Korea and the Philippines. We will promote regional stability and further strengthen our defense partnership with the United States. This trip reaffirms America's deep commitment to working with alliances and partners in support of our shared vision of defending a free and open Indo-Pacific."