Minister: Moon's position on THAAD delivered to U.S.
By Lee Chi-dong
SINGAPORE, June 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo said Sunday he has conveyed President Moon Jae-in's message on the THAAD missile defense system to U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis.
Han said his "talking points" in the discussion with Mattis held in Singapore a day earlier were decided in "consultations" with Moon's office Cheong Wa Dae.
The one-on-one meeting between Han and Mattis came amid renewed attention on Seoul's stance towards the agreed-upon deployment of the advanced missile defense system by U.S. Forces Korea.
Han and his ministry have come under fire for allegedly bypassing a report of THAAD equipment in South Korea to its new president Moon Jae-in. Han was appointed by Moon's ousted predecessor Park Geun-hye.
Moon has ordered an investigation into the ministry's implementation of the deal with the U.S. on THAAD.
Meeting with the U.S. secretary on the sidelines of the Shanggri-La Dialogue, a regional security forum, Han assured his counterpart that it's "entirely about a domestic measure" and Seoul does not want it to affect relations with Washington.
He added the Moon administration would handle the THAAD issue in light of the "alliance spirit." In response, Mattis said he "understands and trusts" Seoul's stance on the matter.
Han told reporters later that his remarks on THAAD in talks with Mattis were based on a "summary" of Moon's public comments related to the missile defense system's deployment.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
BTS' RM to prerelease 'Come Back to Me,' music video directed by Lee Jung-jin of 'Beef'
-
NIS looking into N. Korea's suspected provision of weapons to Russia
-
(Yonhap Interview) Kang Kang-hoon's portrait saga: life seen through his daughter, cotton
-
Sneak peek of Art Busan shows strong emphasis on female trailblazers
-
Disney+ 'Uncle Samsik' aims to provoke thought with ambitious characters in turbulent times
-
BTS' RM to prerelease 'Come Back to Me,' music video directed by Lee Jung-jin of 'Beef'
-
(Yonhap Interview) Kang Kang-hoon's portrait saga: life seen through his daughter, cotton
-
NIS looking into N. Korea's suspected provision of weapons to Russia
-
Sneak peek of Art Busan shows strong emphasis on female trailblazers
-
Disney+ 'Uncle Samsik' aims to provoke thought with ambitious characters in turbulent times
-
NIS looking into N. Korea's suspected provision of weapons to Russia
-
S. Korea, Malaysia discuss arms industry cooperation in Kuala Lumpur
-
F-4 fighter jets hold farewell flight after over five decades of service
-
Top diplomats of S. Korea, China set to hold talks on bilateral ties, N. Korea
-
N. Korean defectors send balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang leaflets to North