Seoul: Adm. Samuel Paparo Jr., commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, underscored the significance of regional security cooperation in discussions with South Korean defense and foreign ministers, held on Sunday. Paparo's meeting with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back at the ministry headquarters in Seoul focused on the security dynamics of the Korean Peninsula and strategies to enhance the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Ahn acknowledged the pivotal role of the Indo-Pacific Command, which oversees the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), in maintaining peace and security across the Korean Peninsula and the broader Indo-Pacific region. Both Ahn and Paparo concurred that North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile capabilities, coupled with its military ties with Russia, present significant threats to regional peace. They concluded that a robust combined readiness posture is essential for deterring and addressing these threats.

The officials also reiterated the importance of trilateral security cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan to safeguard regional peace and security against North Korean nuclear and missile challenges. Earlier in the day, Paparo held discussions with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, exchanging views on the South Korea-U.S. alliance and the regional security landscape.

Cho expressed gratitude to Paparo for his leadership in fostering peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and the wider region as the Indo-Pacific commander. He also shared the outcomes of the South Korea-U.S. summit held in August and urged the admiral to ensure his command's involvement in evolving the bilateral ties into a future-oriented, comprehensive strategic alliance.

According to the ministry, Paparo conveyed his anticipation of deepening cooperation with South Korea, describing it as a key partner and exemplary ally. Both sides agreed that South Korea is an ideal collaborator capable of revitalizing the U.S. manufacturing sector, and they committed to working together on specific measures for bilateral cooperation in shipbuilding.

Cho and Paparo further acknowledged the USFK's role in ensuring regional peace and stability and emphasized the importance of maintaining a firm readiness posture.