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Korea and the U.S. have agreed to "appropriately accelerate" discussion on the return of wartime operational control, which currently rests with the U.S.
It was one of 13 points agreed at the 37th annual bilateral Security Consultative Meeting here headed by Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung and his U.S. counterpart Donald Rumsfeld.
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U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld speaks at a press conference after the annual Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting at the Defense Ministry in Yongsan, Seoul on Friday.
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To an official request from Korea for the return of wartime command, Rumsfeld said he agreed with Seoul but cautioned matters must proceed to ensure they help peace on the Korean Peninsula. Sources close to the talks said the joint statement pledged to "appropriately accelerate" discussions. Asked what that meant, Rumsfeld told a joint press conference after the meeting, "It'll take place at the moment when the Republic of Korea and the United States of America decide it's appropriate."
Rumsfeld denied rumors of plans for additional manpower cuts in the U.S. Forces Korea and relocating USFK Command to Hawaii. Asked about calls in Korea to topple a statue of U.S. general Douglas MacArthur, Rumsfeld offered no direct statement but highlighted the sacrifices and contribution of the U.S. to enabling Korea¡¯s rapid economic growth after the Korean War, in which Macarthur played a decisive role.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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