WEBVTT

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- Thank you.

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Thank you you Minister Song.

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It's a pleasure to see you again

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after meeting in Singapore
earlier this month

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and of course in Hawaii as well.

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As we continue with what
you accurately described

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as our water-tight consultations.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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- Thank you for the warm welcome.

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I'm happy to be back in South Korea

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and I'm also very happy to be in the ROK

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when we arranged for a pause
for a trusted assignment.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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We always have candid discussions

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and those are possible only with such

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a steadfast and trusted ally.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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Minister Song, you and I
stand side-by-side today,

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a firm reminder that the
US-ROK alliance continues

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to withstand the test of time.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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This year marks the 65th anniversary

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of the signing of the
US-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty

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and 50 years of close consultation

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through our Joint Security
Consultative Meeting.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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And I look forward to welcoming you back

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to Washington DC this
October for the next meeting.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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These milestones signify

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the strong US-ROK relationship of the past

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and the continued strength of
our alliance for the future.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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We are reinforced by
shared democratic values

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and by common security interests.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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US commitment to the Republic
of Korea remains iron-clad

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and the US will continue
to use the full range

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of diplomatic and military capabilities

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to uphold this commitment.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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This includes maintaining the current

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US force levels on the Korean peninsula.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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As outlined in President Trump's

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Whole-of-Government Indo-Pacific Strategy,

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the US maintains an enduring commitment

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to a peaceful, secure, prosperous,

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free, and open Indo-Pacific.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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As evidence of this
commitment, this trip marks

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my seventh visit to the Indo-Pacific

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as the Secretary of Defense.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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Earlier this month at the
Singapore Shangri-la Dialogue,

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I called on all in the region

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to strive toward a shared destiny.

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One steeped in common values of respect

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for international law.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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And, as with past visits,
I welcome the opportunity

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to reinforce concrete
relationships with stalwart allies,

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while opening avenues
for substantive dialogue

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with others in the region,

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as I did in China these last few days.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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And, as always, in close consultation

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with the Republic of
Korea and other partners,

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our diplomats continue
their work to achieve

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the complete verifiable and
irreversible denuclearization

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of the Korean peninsula.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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The recent decision to suspend
the Freedom Guardian exercise

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creates increased opportunity

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for our diplomats to negotiate,

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increasing prospects
for a peaceful solution

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on the peninsula.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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At the same time, the US and
ROK forces remain united,

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vigilant, and ready to
defend against any challenge.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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Minister Song, during our
January meeting in Hawaii,

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you said, and I quote,

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"As an alliance, we always go together."

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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And in that spirit, I look
forward to today's discussion

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of ways to go together
(speaking in foreign language),

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further strengthening the
US-ROK alliance in pursuit

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of our shared goals for
peace in the region.

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(translator speaking in foreign language)

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Thank you ladies and gentlemen,

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thank you Minister Song.
(audience applauding)