# 99037. Troop Talk Highlights Cohen's Korea Visit

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By Douglas J. Gillert
American Forces Press Service

SEOUL -- After arriving here mid-afternoon Jan. 14, Defense 
Secretary William S. Cohen flew directly to Camp Humphreys, 
south of here, to meet U.S. soldiers before returning to the 
capital for talks with Korean officials.

Arriving by UH-60 helicopter, the secretary toured the 6th 
Cavalry Regiment before re-enlisting or presenting medals to 
several enlisted service members and warrant officers. Cohen 
presided over the re-enlistments of Sgt. Lorena Morehead of Los 
Angeles and Sgt. Richard DeLeon of Danville, Ill. He presented 
the Meritorious Service Medal to Chief Warrant Officer Michael 
Semeniuk of Alsip, Ill., and the Legion of Merit to Chief 
Warrant Officer James Shackleford of Anniston, Ala.

Addressing a large, enthusiastic audience inside an AH-64 Apache 
maintenance hangar, Cohen praised the soldiers for their service 
away from family and friends and for helping the United States 
and Republic of Korea maintain vigilance against the ongoing 
threat from North Korea. "We are the most respected military in 
the world," he told them. He said all Americans benefit from 
their service.

Cohen also visited the 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion 
(Aerial Exploitation), where he toured an RC-7B airborne 
reconnaissance low-multifunction aircraft and again talked with 
troops. After giving battalion members a simple "thank you," he 
added, "I don't think you hear that enough. We are truly 
indebted to you for your sacrifices every day."

Cold winds and nightfall greeted the secretary and his entourage 
as they returned to the UH-60 and flew back to Seoul.

Hosted by National Defense Minister Chun Yong-Taek, the 
secretary received honors Jan. 15 at the Korean War Memorial 
before participating in the 30th Republic of Korea and U.S. 
security consultative meeting. At a joint press conference 
following the meeting, Cohen and Chun announced that they've 
agreed to strengthen their nations' military alliance. 

"As the first [security consultative meeting] since the launch 
of a new Korean administration, this morning's talks laid the 
groundwork for us so we can further consolidate our bilateral 
alliance in preparation for the 21st century," Chun said. Chun 
said he and Cohen discussed ways to counter the North Korean 
threat and prepare for any future crisis on the Korean 
Peninsula. He said the two leaders view a coordinated North 
Korea policy should be undercoated by a strong combined defense 
policy. 

Both defense chiefs expressed concern over North Korea's missile 
program, continued infiltration into South Korea and suspected 
development of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. They 
said the combined forces of the United States and South Korea 
must steadfastly maintain defense readiness against a wide range 
of threats.

Cohen also praised South Korean President Kim Dae-jung's 
"sunshine policy" of opening up avenues of communication between 
the North and South Korean governments. He said negotiation is 
preferable to confrontation. 

"We're living in a period of opportunity and risk, and President 
Kim's policy of engaging North Korea and the four-party talks 
[between the United States, China, and South and North Korea] 
raise the possibility of diplomatic progress for reconciliation 
and peace," Cohen said. However, North Korean actions, including 
upgrading its missile program and resisting U.S. inspection of 
the suspect nuclear facility, "threaten to frustrate that 
promise," he said. 

"In the face of this uncertainty, our policy is and must remain 
clear and unwavering," Cohen said. "We will maintain a strong 
deterrent as we pursue dialogue with North Korea. But hopeful 
diplomacy rests on the reality of that deterrence, and our 
deterrence is stronger than ever."

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Henry Shelton joined Cohen 
at the defense ministry. He arrived in Seoul a day earlier than 
the secretary to take part in the annual military committee 
meeting at the Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters. This 
meeting also focused on the North Korean threat and ways to 
bolster deterrence. Participants discussed ways to quickly 
deploy U.S. reinforcements to combat any North Korean aggression 
and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to defend South Korea.

The secretary also met with Hong Soon Young, South Korea's 
foreign affairs and trade minister, and finally with President 
Kim before returning to Washington Jan. 15. (Army Spc. 
Christopher P. Swartz, Area III public affairs, Korea, 
contributed to this report)

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 Defense Secretary William S. Cohen and South Korean National Defense Minister Chun Yong-Taek talk to reporters at the Korean national defense ministry following the 30th annual security consultative meeting in Seoul. The leaders, Jan. 15, called for a strengthened U.S.-South Korea alliance to counter North Korean threats and maintain stability and security on the Korean Peninsula. Douglas J. Gillert