U.S. and South Korean defense ministers ``denounce the North's provocations'' in telephone talks...emphasize ``realizing peace through force'' on the Korean Peninsula

South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the 28th, denouncing North Korea's recent provocations and calling for "force-based action" on the Korean Peninsula.
He emphasized the realization of peace. South Korea's Ministry of National Defense said, ``Defense Minister Shin held a phone conversation with Secretary Austin on the morning of the 28th, reviewed the security situation in the region, and confirmed the strength of the South Korea-US alliance and combined defense posture.
I have reconfirmed it." First, Defense Minister Shin and Secretary Austin exchanged opinions on the recent situation in North Korea and decided to cooperate closely on North Korea policy.
In particular, he strongly condemned North Korea's senseless acts that have heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, including its repeated missile launches and various provocations at sea.
They also agreed that ``the strengthening of military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including illegal arms trade, is a serious threat not only to the Korean Peninsula but also to international peace and stability.''
We have decided to cooperate with the international community and take strict action. Both sides will maintain a strong and overwhelming combined defense posture to deter and respond to threats such as North Korea's increasingly sophisticated nuclear and missile capabilities.
and reaffirmed the importance of close alliance cooperation. Continuing, the United States will re-emphasize its strong commitment to the defense of South Korea and will continue to work toward ``realizing peace through force'' on the Korean Peninsula.
Ta. Furthermore, we decided to further strengthen our ability to implement extended deterrence, and at the same time further strengthen security cooperation between Japan, the United States, and South Korea.