U.S. President Barack Obama (left) and President Park Geun-hye shake hands prior to a Korea-U.S. summit in Vientiane on Sept. 6. Both leaders vowed to bolster the bilateral alliance.
President Park Geun-hye and U.S. President Barack Obama have once again declared their will to bolster the alliance between South Korea and the U.S. The two leaders met on Sept. 6 on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Vientiane, Laos.
Both leaders criticized North Korea’s recent provocations, such as nuclear weapons tests and a series of missile firings. They urged Pyongyang to faithfully implement all U.N. Security Council resolutions.
President Park said that both leaders “reaffirmed that the Korea-U.S. alliance is stronger than ever and that it plays a pivotal role in the prosperity of not only the Korean Peninsula but also across the region.”
“Both Korea and the U.S. will strongly respond to any kind of provocation from Pyongyang by using all possible means,” she said.
“Considering the important role of China in effectively implementing sanctions against the North and resolving its nuclear weapons problems, South Korea and the U.S. agreed to continue communicating with China through various channels,” said President Park.
President Obama said, “Its [North Korea’s] nuclear and missile programs are a threat to not only the ROK, but to Japan, other allies in the region, partners in the region, and to the United States.”
“I want to reaffirm that our commitment to the defense and security of South Korea, including extended deterrence, is unwavering,” said President Obama.
In regard to North Korea human rights issues, President Park expressed her gratitude for efforts by the U.S. to improve North Korean human rights conditions. She said that the South Korean government will strengthen cooperation with the international community and the U.S. based on North Korean human rights laws that took effect in South Korea on Sept. 4.
President Park Geun-hye and U.S. President Barack Obama hold summit talks in Vientiane on Sept. 6.
The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues.
To help the Seoul-Washington alliance contribute to greater peace and prosperity, President Park told the U.S. president that South Korea would extend its role in not only areas along the new frontier, such as healthcare, global climate change and outer space, but also on refugees, U.N. peacekeeping operations and cooperation on economic development.
President Obama said, “The ROK has been an excellent partner in helping Afghanistan stabilize. It has been an outstanding partner on global health and security issues.”
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae
arete@korea.kr
