Defense chiefs of South Korea, U.S. to hold security talks

The two defense chiefs of South Korea and the U.S. will hold their annual security meeting in Seoul on Friday to discuss regional security and pending bilateral military alliance issues, officials at the Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday.

During the 43rd Security Consultative Meeting, Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin and his U.S. counterpart Leon Panetta will also touch on ways to enhance joint deterrence against North Korea.

The allies have alternately held the meeting since 1968 to deal with security situations on the Korean Peninsula where the U.S. maintains 28,500 troops.

Gen. Jung Seung-jo, who has been tapped to head the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his U.S. counterpart chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey are also scheduled to hold the Military Committee Meeting, a top-level regular meeting for bilateral military cooperation.

It is the first time for both the U.S. defense secretary and JCS chief to officially visit South Korea with their current job titles.

During their three-day schedule, which begins on Wednesday, they are to visit the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, a national cemetery in Seoul and the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)