ROK, US reaffirm support of diplomatic talks for denuclearization

A combined picture of ROK President Moon Jae-in (L) and acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan. (Photo: VCG)

Moon Jae-in, president of the Republic of Korea (ROK), and acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan discussed the allies' combined readiness "in support of diplomatic negotiations" aimed at denuclearizing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) during the Pentagon chief's visit to Seoul on Monday, Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col Dave Eastburn said in a readout.

Shanahan thanked Moon for the ROK's "continued support for the enforcement of U.N. Security Council Resolutions until North Korea (DPRK) achieves final, fully-verifiable denuclearization," he added, referring to sanctions on Pyongyang.

The Pentagon chief's first trip to the ROK comes amid tensions on the Korean Peninsula re-escalated following the DPRK's short-range missile launches in May.

ROK Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo (L), acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan (C) and Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya meet on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, June 2, 2019. /VCG Photo

Negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang have largely stalled due to their differences on how to achieve denuclearization on the peninsula and lift sanctions on the DPRK. A summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un in Vietnam's Hanoi in late February ended without a deal.

During their meeting, Moon and Shanahan agreed that the two countries' alliance is "ironclad."

"Both assessed that the U.S.-ROK Alliance is ironclad and continues to coordinate closely to ensure the Alliance's combined defense contributes to peace and security in the region," the spokesman said.

Shanahan also held talks with ROK Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo on Monday, agreeing to end the summertime Ulchi Freedom Guardian war game of the allies.

On Tuesday, Shanahan paid a visit to Tokyo, where he met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.