Joint Staff Spokesperson Joseph Holstead provided the following readout:
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine met with Chairman of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Jin Yong-Sung at the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff Headquarters during the 50th Republic of Korea and United States Military Committee Meeting (MCM). The leaders recognized the historical significance and strength of the U.S.-ROK Alliance over more than 70 years, and they emphasized the importance of maintaining a robust combined defense posture.
The leaders also discussed the increasingly complex security environment, including the DPRK’s continued development of advanced military capabilities and its deepening military cooperation with Russia. The U.S.-ROK leaders reaffirmed the Alliance is effectively managing these threats through strong combined deterrence.
Both leaders highlighted the importance of integrating to strengthen deterrence across the Alliance, combining conventional and strategic capabilities to ensure a credible and responsive posture against provocation. They reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Conventional-Nuclear Integration efforts within the Nuclear Consultative Group framework to ensure a timely and coordinated response to any contingency.
Gen. Caine and Gen. Jin reaffirmed their commitment to the Conditions-based Operational Control Transition Plan and agreed to continue close coordination to ensure a stable, conditions-based transition of wartime operational control, while maintaining a strong and steadfast Alliance.
The leaders also noted the Alliance’s combined deterrence posture contributes to regional stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific, in support of peace, security, and prosperity.
Gen. Jin and Lt. Gen. Son Jeong-Hwan, Chief Director of J5, ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, represented the ROK delegation. The U.S. delegation included Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, Commander, United Nations Command; Commander, Combined Forces Command; and Commander, U.S. Forces Korea.
The MCM provides strategic guidance to the Combined Forces Command in defense of the Republic of Korea and addresses Alliance military issues. Since 1978, the United States and the Republic of Korea have alternated hosting the meeting in Washington, D.C., and Seoul.