20 July 2017

News Story: S. Korean defense chief vows stronger alliance with U.S.

By Lee Chi-dong

SEOUL, July 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo assured the leader of American troops here Wednesday that he will place top priority on bolstering the time-honored alliance against North Korea's saber-rattling.

Song, who took office last week, delivered the message to Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, who commands the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), in their introductory meeting at Song's office in Seoul, according to his ministry.

The minister told Brooks that he has proposed "robust and complementary development of the ROK (South Korea)-U.S. alliance as one of his six defense reform agendas," it said in a press release.

The other five agenda items were not mentioned in the document also issued by the USFK.

Song, formerly a four-star naval commander, added he will continue to work toward strengthening and developing the alliance, which is the foundation of security on the peninsula.

Read the full story at YonhapNews