Seoul:Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul met with U.S. Senator Dave McCormick in Seoul to discuss enhancing shipbuilding cooperation between South Korea and the United States. During the meeting, Kang emphasized the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance in maintaining regional peace and security and called for continued support from the U.S. Congress.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the discussions highlighted the desire for the bilateral alliance to extend beyond security cooperation, evolving into a strategic partnership focused on technological innovation and the defense industry. Kang expressed gratitude to McCormick for his ongoing interest in shipbuilding cooperation and hoped for further practical development in this area.
The meeting followed McCormick's visit to Hanwha Ocean Co.'s shipyard in Geoje, where he assessed the defense contractor's shipbuilding capabilities. The senator's trip also included talks with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, addressing the alliance and Korean Peninsula issues.
Cho underscored the shipbuilding partnership as a crucial element of bilateral strategic cooperation, expressing a desire to expand collaboration into nuclear energy and security sectors. He urged the U.S. Congress to support institutional frameworks aiding Korean investments in the U.S.
McCormick acknowledged South Korea's investments in the U.S. for their role in job creation and manufacturing sector rejuvenation. He committed to supporting the development of the alliance and ensuring the implementation of measures to enhance bilateral cooperation further.
Cho also discussed efforts towards peace on the Korean Peninsula, with McCormick affirming congressional support for these initiatives.