During the 56th U.S.-Republic of Korea Security Consultative Meeting on October 30, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and ROK Minister of National Defense Kim Yong Hyun discussed initiatives to enhance extended deterrence cooperation, modernize alliance capabilities, and strengthen regional security.

The following day, Secretary Austin and Minister Kim will join U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul for a Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting to synchronize diplomatic and defense efforts.

The United States reaffirmed its commitment to the Republic of Korea's security. The two nations are enhancing their combined deterrence posture through Nuclear Consultative Group workstreams for integrated planning and execution of conventional-nuclear operations. They are also conducting large-scale field training exercises like Freedom Shield to maintain a strong defense posture.

To modernize alliance capabilities, the United States and the ROK are upgrading missile defense systems against advanced threats and expanding science and technology cooperation through the new Defense Science and Technology Executive Committee. This initiative aims to incorporate technologies such as autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies into defense strategies.

Furthermore, both countries are working on deepening industrial collaboration by strengthening their defense industrial bases via the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience.

In terms of regional security cooperation, the United States and the ROK aim to enhance activities with allies in the Indo-Pacific region by launching a Regional Cooperation Framework focused on maritime security, multilateral exercises, capacity building, defense industrial cooperation, technical cooperation, and information sharing. Additionally, they plan to deepen trilateral security cooperation with Japan through high-level dialogues and increased trilateral exercises.