China News Service, January 25. According to Korea Broadcasting International (KBS), on the morning of the 24th local time, South Korean Defense Minister Xu Xu had the first telephone conversation with the new US Secretary of Defense Austin. The two sides agreed to maintain cooperation in the development of the Korea-US alliance.
The South Korean Ministry of National Defense stated that Xu Xu was invited by the US to call Austin on the same day.
The two defense chiefs agreed that taking into account the regional situation on the Korean peninsula, the cooperation between the two countries is more important than ever.
In order to develop the Korea-US alliance into a mutually complementary and future-oriented alliance, the two sides will communicate frankly on common concerns at any time.
In addition, the two also agreed to meet in the near future to have in-depth discussions on more issues.
Austin is the first African-American defense secretary of the United States. He said at the personnel hearing that he will reach an agreement with South Korea on defense cost sharing negotiations as soon as possible.