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- The 50th U.S.-ROK MCM held in Seoul (Nov. 3, 2025) (2025.11.04)
- ○The Republic of Korea (ROK) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Jin Yong-Sung met with U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine at the ROK JCS Headquarters today during the 50th Republic of Korea and United States Military Committee Meeting. This marks Gen. Caine's second visit to the Republic of Korea in three months since the Trilateral Chiefs of Defense meeting in July. ○Gen. Jin and Lt. Gen. Son Jeong-Hwan, Chief Director of J5, ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, represented the ROK delegation. Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joined Gen. Caine as part of the U.S. delegation. Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, Commander of Combined Forces Command (CFC), represented the U.S.-ROK CFC. ○During the discussions, Gen. Jin and Gen. Caine recognized the historical significance and role of the U.S.-ROK Alliance that has lasted over 72 years. They shared the view that peace on the Korean Peninsula should be underpinned by the combined strength of both countries, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a robust combined readiness posture based on the Alliance, capable of responding to any threats. ○Both leaders shared the assessment that the security environment in the Indo-Pacific has become increasingly complex due to advanced nuclear and missile threats posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and intensifying global arms competition. They noted that, while the DPRK seeks greater military capabilities through technological advancements supported by its cooperation with Russia, the U.S.-ROK Alliance is effectively managing the threats through a strong combined defense posture. Gen. Jin and Gen. Caine acknowledged that deterrence extends beyond the Korean Peninsula and contributes to regional deterrence in support of SECURITY, FREEDOM, and PROSPERITY. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working with allies and partners to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, deterring potential aggression and safeguarding shared interests. ○The two leaders agreed to seamlessly develop Conventional-Nuclear Integration (CNI) concept in accordance with the NCG's guidance, enhance CNI activities for expanding Alliance's deterrence. ○The leaders held discussions on Alliance modernization and agreed to enhance the alliance's capabilities, interoperability and combined readiness posture to proactively respond to the evolving security environment and emerging threats. Both chairmen agreed to continue their communication on Alliance modernization effort and further strengthening the combined military deterrence. ○Furthermore, Gen. Jin and Gen. Caine have the same understanding of the meaningful progress made across various fields, as confirmed through the annual evaluation conducted in accordance with the bilaterally agreed-upon standards of Conditions-based Operational Control Transition Plan. They agreed to continue efforts to meet the conditions required for achieving OPCON transition and strengthen the Alliance's combined defense posture. ○Both leaders shared the importance of developing an ever-stronger combined defense posture under the U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty and affirmed their commitment to this goal. The United States and the ROK pledged to make the utmost efforts to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the region. ○The MCM is part of the U.S.- ROK bilateral consultation process, which convenes annually or as required. The committee provides strategic and operational guidance to the CFC in defense of the ROK and addresses Alliance military issues. The United States and the ROK have alternated hosting this meeting in Washington, D.C. and Seoul since it first convened in 1978.
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- The 44th and 45th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Change ... (2025.10.02)
- ○ The change of command and retirement ceremony of the 44th and 45th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were held at 15:20 on September 30(Tue) at the Joint Chiefs of Staff Training Center, attended by VIPs from home and abroad, including the Minister of National Defense, and servicemembers of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. ○ In his inaugural address, Jin Yong-sung, the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, vowed, "We will be reborn as a military trusted by the people, a strong military capable of fighting and winning, and a military preparing for the future." ∙Chairman Jin noted, "It is the most important to unite the military spirit and restore military honor and people's trust in the Republic of Korea Armed Forces by being faithful only to the original mission of the military to protect the people and constitutional values." ∙"We will become a strong fence for national security with the posture and ability to maintain strong deterrence in all domains in preparation for complex security threats and ensure victory in case of contingency," he said. ∙In addition, he said, "We will lead the systematic transition of wartime operational control by establishing core military capabilities and a combined and joint operation performance system for the ROK military-led combined defense, and foster military forces that meet the future battlefield environment based on AI and cutting edge science and technology." ∙In particular, Chairman Jin emphasized, "We will do our best in our mission as a servicemember focusing on national interests and practicality, by maintaining correct judgment and balance under any circumstances." ○ After the inauguration ceremony, Chairman Jin visits the Joint Chiefs of Staff Combat Control Office to check military readiness and begins his first official duties. "Let's do our best to ensure that our armed forces can be reborn as a trusted military by being faithful to its mission only dedicated to the people and the nation, as solid as a rock, which will never be shaken again," Chairman Jin said. "All members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be faithful to their original mission and create synergy by demonstrating unified teamwork based on close communication." ○ Meanwhile, Kim Myung-soo, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who completed his 41-year military service after the farewell and retirement ceremony on the same day, developed the posture and capabilities of our military by working in the spirit of "常備虎氣 臨戰必勝" (Always be prepared to deter and fight with a tiger-like spirit and we will surely win when facing a battle" during his 22-month tenure, and contributed greatly to improving the organizational culture of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. ∙Kim Myung-soo, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressed his sincere gratitude to the servicemembers and defense civilian officials who fulfilled their duties as a One Team during difficult times, and expressed his thoughts on the end of his military career by saying, "Now I will return to being an ordinary citizen and always pray and support for the Republic of Korea and the military, which were everything in my life."
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- Conduct Ulchi Freedom Shield 25 exercise(Aug. 7, 2025) (2025.08.07)
- ○The Republic of Korea and the United States will conduct Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 25 from Aug. 18 to 28 to strengthen the Alliance’s combined posture. ○UFS25 is an annual exercise that is defensive in nature. By incorporating realistic threats, including lessons learned from recent conflicts, it will serve as an opportunity to further strengthen the Alliance’s readiness and capabilities through combined, joint, all-domain operations. ○The exercise will also support interagency coordination within the ROK government to strengthen national-level crisis management, civil safety response, and cyber defense capabilities, advancing a whole-of-government, joint, intra-agency, and combined approach to wartime readiness and national defense. ○As the United Nations Command celebrates its 75th anniversary, several member states plan to contribute to the exercise. The Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission will observe the exercise to monitor compliance with the Armistice Agreement.
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- Republic of Korea-United States-Japan Trilateral Chiefs of Defen... (2025.07.11)
- ○Kim Myung-soo, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, and Japan Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide convened the 22nd Trilateral Chiefs of Defense (Tri-CHOD) Meeting on July 11, 2025, in Seoul. The three chiefs of defense recognized the importance of close trilateral cooperation in addressing security challenges on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-pacific and beyond. ○The defense chiefs condemned the DPRK's continued development of unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs and agreed to continue coordination toward the complete denuclearization of the DPRK in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs). They also discussed the deployment of the DPRK’s troops to Russia; as well as the potential transfer of military technology from Russia to the DPRK. They urged the DPRK to immediately cease all unlawful activities to destabilize the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific, and beyond, and pledged to continue working together to respond to the DPRK's threats. ○The three defense chiefs reaffirmed that trilateral security cooperation has played a key role in promoting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific. They focused on various ways to deepen their cooperation in order to ensure peace and stability in the region. ○In addition, the defense chiefs agreed to convene the 2026 Tri-CHOD meeting in the United States. Following the meeting, they jointly wiii visit the ROK Navy 2nd Fleet Command to honor the 46 fallen sailors who were killed when the ROKS Cheonan sank in March 2010, as a result of the DPRK's surprise torpedo attack.
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- 49th Republic of Korea and United States Military Committee Meet... (2024.10.18)
- WASHINGTON - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., met with Chairman of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Kim Myung-Soo virtually today during the 49th Republic of Korea and United States Military Committee Meeting (MCM).
Adm. Kim and Lt. Gen. Jin Yong-Sung, Chief Director of J5 (acting), ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, represented the ROK delegation. Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joined Gen. Brown as part of the U.S. delegation. Gen. Paul LaCamera, Commander, United Nations Command (UNC), Combined Forces Command (CFC), and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), represented the ROK-U.S. CFC.
During the discussions, Gen. Brown and Adm. Kim recognized the significance of the U.S.-ROK alliance over the last 71 years. The alliance underscores the shared sacrifice and ironclad commitment of the U.S. and ROK to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The leaders recognized the importance of maintaining a robust combined defensive posture to deter additional provocations from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
The two leaders expressed concerns over key regional and peninsular security challenges, including the DPRK threats across all domains, including increasing missile capabilities, nuclear threats, cyber-attacks. Adm. Kim emphasized the illegitimacy of recent ongoing act of DPRK sending trash balloons into the ROK and the DPRK’s recent declaration naming the ROK as a hostile state. Both leaders underscored that the DPRK’s provocative acts, and the DPRK’s enhance military cooperation with Russia destabilize peace and security on the Peninsula and across the globe.
Both leaders discussed the responsibilities of recently activated ROK Strategic Command (ROK STRATCOM), and the importance of closely connecting its capabilities and planning activities to the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command per the Washington Declaration of 2023. Gen. Brown reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to extended deterrence and the defense of the ROK.
The leaders lauded each country’s contributions in enhancing and improving trilateral cooperation to include a flight of two U.S. B-52 strategic bombers that flew with fighter aircraft from both South Korea and Japan, marking the first trilateral aerial exercise between the nations. Additionally, both leaders highly commended the inaugural execution of exercise Freedom Edge, a trilateral multi-domain exercise, which further promoted interoperability between the three nations.
Further, Gen. Brown and Adm. Kim acknowledged the meaningful progress made across the various fields in the conditions-based operational control transition plan for the ROK-U.S. Future Combined Forces Command (F-CFC).
Both leaders affirmed, in the strongest words possible, their unwavering commitment to the combined defense posture under the U.S. - ROK Mutual Defense Treaty, emphasizing their dedication to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.
The MCM is part of the U.S. - ROK bilateral consultation process, which convenes annually or as required. The committee provides strategic direction and operational guidance to the CFC in defense of the ROK and addresses Alliance military issues. The United States and the ROK have alternated hosting this meeting in Washington, D.C. and Seoul since it first convened in 1978.
The 49th MCM was planned to be held in Washington D.C., however, after mutual coordination, was held virtually in light of the recent grave security developments on the Peninsula.