Oct. 19, 2022
WASHINGTON — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley met with Chairman of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Seung-Kyum Kim at the Pentagon today during the 47th Republic of Korea and United States Military Committee Meeting (MCM).
This marks the first face-to-face MCM between the two leaders since Gen. Kim took office on July 5, 2022.
Gen. Kim and Chief Director of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff Directorate for Strategic Planning Lt. Gen. Young-Su Lee represented the ROK delegation. Adm. John C. Aquilino, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joined Gen. Milley as part of the U.S. delegation. Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander, Combined Forces Command, represented the U.S.-ROK Combined Forces Command.
During the discussions, Gen. Milley and Gen. Kim recognized the shared sacrifices and enduring nature of the Alliance. The two leaders also discussed regional and peninsular security updates, including the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) continuous provocations such as nuclear threats and missile launches, and other regional destabilizing actions. Gen. Milley reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defending the Republic of Korea and its continued commitment to providing extended deterrence.
Both leaders applauded the progress made in the conditions-based operational control (OPCON) transition plan, including the successful execution of the Future-Combined Forces Command Full Operational Capability Assessment during the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise in August 2022. The two leaders also discussed continued development of the combined defense posture.
The two leaders shared the importance of defense and security cooperation to secure peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and maintain a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, as well as continued efforts to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
The MCM is part of the U.S. - ROK bilateral consultation process, which convenes annually, or as required. The committee provides strategic directives and operational guidance to the Combined Forces Command in defense of the Republic of Korea and addresses Alliance military issues. The U.S. and the ROK have alternated hosting this meeting since it first convened in 1978.
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