Seoul, Feb 11 (NationPress) Senior defense officials from South Korea and the United States engaged in discussions on Wednesday in Seoul to explore avenues for enhancing their mutual sustainment capabilities, as reported by the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The meeting, which took place between Koo Sang-mo, the JCS chief director of military support, and Mark Simerly, director of the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), was the inaugural official interaction between the two entities, according to the JCS and Yonhap News Agency.

The discussions focused on strengthening their combined sustainment capabilities, grounded in the enduring South Korea-US alliance, and both parties acknowledged that sustainment operations play a pivotal role in an evolving security landscape.

Koo emphasized that collaboration with the DLA, responsible for defense logistics support for US forces globally, is crucial for preserving their joint defense stance. He urged for enhanced coordination to ensure swift and sustained military support in any contingency.

In reply, Simerly highlighted that the US is committed to supply chain management via the Indo-Pacific Command to bolster defenses for South Korea, which he identified as a key ally, and promised to strengthen ties with the South's JCS.

Both sides agreed to increase and maintain regular communication to explore ways to bolster their partnership, noted the JCS.

Simerly's arrival in South Korea on Tuesday marked the start of a three-day visit aimed at reviewing defense logistics for US Forces Korea and their combined logistics framework. This visit is notable as it is the first by a DLA director to South Korea.

On February 3, top diplomats from South Korea and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing collaboration in civil nuclear energy, nuclear-powered submarines, and shipbuilding during their discussions in Washington, as stated by the State Department.

South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated their dedication to the complete denuclearization of North Korea, according to Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson for the department.

The meeting also addressed diplomatic efforts from Seoul to respond to US President Donald Trump's recent threats regarding increased tariffs on various goods from South Korea, raising them to 25% from 15%.

Pigott stated, "Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Cho discussed strategies to enhance the US-ROK Alliance, focusing on a future-oriented agenda inspired by the summits between President Trump and ROK President Lee Jae Myung in Washington and Gyeongju." ROK stands for the official name of South Korea, the Republic of Korea.

He added, "The two leaders agreed to continue their close collaboration on civil nuclear energy, nuclear-powered submarines, shipbuilding, and increasing ROK investments to rejuvenate essential US industries."