<< South Korea’s vice defense minister Lee Yong-gul, left, and his Chinese counterpart deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese army Gen. Ma Xiaotian shake hands before an inaugural strategic defense talks on July 27 at the Defense Ministry in Seoul. By Hong Seung-wan
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South Korea and China held their first strategic defense talks on July 27 at the Defense Ministry in Seoul, the ministry said on July 28.
Lee Yong-gul, the South’s vice defense minister and Air Force Gen. Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese army, led each delegation at the meeting, the ministry added.
“The first strategic defense talks between Lee and Ma was held based on agreement made during defense talks between defense ministers of two countries in Beijing on July 15,” the ministry said. “It is meaningful that strategic-level dialogue system of both sides began activating.”
During the inaugural talks, two countries exchanged views on North Korea issue and regional security matters. They also discussed measures on developing defense ties.
First, both sides highly acknowledged the importance of holding strategic defense talks early and discussed in details about a characteristics, agenda and management plan for the talks.
They agreed to make the regular meeting playing a pivotal role in developing mutual cooperation and exchanges as well as managing matters on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia with stability.
In order to revive military education exchange programs next year, two sides agreed to hold working-level talks on such matter in September this year in Seoul. In addition, Lee and Ma agreed to organize a separate meeting to sign memorandum of understanding related to disaster relief assistance.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of South Korea-Sino diplomatic ties next year, both sides agreed to organize events related to defense issues such as defense academic seminar.
South Korean delegation proposed on issues of inviting Chinese defense minister Liang Guanglie to South Korea, holding defense academic seminar and allowing South Korean naval cadets to visit Chinese warships. In response, Chinese delegation promised to mull over the proposals positively.
In particular, each side introduced its status on exchanges and cooperation with neighborhood countries. Analysts say such efforts reveals the will of both sides that they are willing to control matters related to Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia region in terms of strategic approach.
In addition, two countries agreed to consider organizing “Defense exchanges and cooperation study group,” mainly consists of civilian experts, in order to discover possible parts they can cooperate and beef up mutual trust as well as understanding.
“Defense strategic talks between South Korea and China will play an important role in enhancing defense ties that befits strategic cooperation partnership relations which was declared by both sides in 2008,” said a defense official at the ministry.