Defense chief highlights S. Korea-U.S. alliance, readiness on 1st visit to USFK base

Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul emphasized the strength of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and their collective readiness during his inaugural visit to the primary U.S. military base south of Seoul on Friday, according to his office. This marked Kang's initial trip to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, situated about 60 kilometers from Seoul, since assuming his position last month.

As a retired Army general and former deputy commander of the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC), Kang convened with U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson to deliberate on pressing issues, though the defense ministry did not offer additional specifics. Kang reiterated the robust combined defense stance and seamless coordination between South Korea and the United States, highlighting the commitment to fighting together, drawing parallels from the annals of war, and advocating for a robust defense posture in the face of a perilous security climate on the Korean Peninsula, as stated in a ministry release. The dialogue might have encompassed the recent land mine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).