[Photo] S. Korea, China hold first strategic defense talks in 5 years

South Korea and China held their first strategic defense talks in 5 years on Oct. 21. South Korean Vice Defense Minister Park Jae-min met with Chinese Lt. Gen. Shao Yuanming for talks in Beijing, where they agreed to cooperate on North Korea’s denuclearization, mutual defense measures, and joint disaster relief efforts. They also agreed to build an additional direct hotline between the two countries’ militaries. The South Korea-China vice ministerial strategic defense talks were launched in 2011 and held annually until 2014, when they were suspended amid tensions over South Korea’s decision to host the US’ Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, which China views as a direct threat to its national security. (provided by the Ministry of National Defense)