Korea, U.S. hold high-level talks on global disarmament, nonproliferation

South Korea and the United States held high-level talks on global disarmament and nonproliferation issues in Washington on Thursday, officials said.

The two allies have held such talks annually since 2013 to strengthen cooperation on global issues.

Thursday's meeting was led by Shin Dong-ik, South Korea's deputy foreign minister for multilateral and global affairs, and Rose Gottemoeller, U.S. under secretary of state for arms control and international security.

Key topics included the North Korean and Iranian nuclear issues, export control systems and other issues related to disarmament and nonproliferation, and global security issues related to space, health and biosecurity, officials said.

The two sides also discussed ways to ensure a successful Nuclear Security Summit set for next year in Washington, and South Korea's roles as chair of January's IAEA Nuclear Security Conference and as chair of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime, officials said.

In Washington, Shin was also scheduled to hold separate meetings with Bathsheba Crocker, assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs, and Robert King, U.S. special envoy for North Korean human rights issues. (Yonhap)