Minister of National Defense Kang Sin-cheol Participates in the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus)

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29 October 2026 (Thu) 15:30

Minister of National Defense Kang Sin-cheol Participates in the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus)

- Emphasis on the ROK Government's commitment to peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula and request for support from the international community

- Expression of commitment to contributing to regional peace and security through the expansion of substantive defence cooperation with ASEAN

□ Minister of National Defense Kang Sin-cheol attended the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), held in the Philippines on 29 October, where he assessed the regional security situation and discussed ways to cooperate with ASEAN for peace and stability.

◦ This meeting was the first multilateral security conference attended by Minister Kang since taking office, and was held with the participation of defence ministers and senior defence-related officials from the 11 ASEAN member states as well as dialogue partners including the United States, China, Japan, and Russia.

□ Through his address at the plenary session on 29 October, Minister Kang Sin-cheol emphasized the importance of confidence-building, adherence to international norms, and strengthening of security safety nets in a changing security environment, and expressed his commitment to building regional peace together with ASEAN.

◦ Minister Kang Sin-cheol stressed that peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula are directly linked to regional security, and explained the ROK Government's efforts to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula and restore trust while maintaining a robust combined defence posture based on the ROK–U.S. alliance.

◦ In particular, as North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile into the East Sea during the plenary session, Minister Kang made clear that such an act constitutes a threat to security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region; he also pointed out that the recent landmine explosion south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) is a clear violation by North Korea of the Armistice Agreement, while emphasizing the need for inter-Korean dialogue channels to restore mutual communication and trust.

◦ In addition, Minister Kang Sin-cheol stated that, building on the 'Coalition of Constructive Contributors' initiative proposed by President Lee Jae-myung at the 81st UN General Assembly, the Republic of Korea will expand defence cooperation in line with the ROK–ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

□ Meanwhile, on the occasion of his participation in this meeting, Minister Kang held bilateral talks with defence ministers of key regional countries and discussed ways to expand defence exchanges and defence industry cooperation, among other matters. <End>

Division in Charge

Director General for International Policy, Office of Defense Policy

Person Responsible

Director General

Kim Hak-jo

(02-748-6300)

Indo-Pacific Policy Division

Officer in Charge

Division Chief

Pi Sam-gyeong

(02-748-4730)