The top military leaders of South Korea and the U.S. are expected to use their upcoming consultation to ensure the efficiency of Washington’s provision of extended deterrence and check on preparations for the transfer of wartime operational control to Seoul.

The two sides will examine issues of mutual concern during the 49th Security Consultative Meeting(SCM) to be held in Seoul on Saturday.

Defense Minister Song Young-moo and U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis will lead discussions, which will be the first since the inauguration of the incumbent governments in both countries.

Expectations are high it will provide a glimpse into the Trump administration’s military policy and strategy toward the Korean Peninsula and Asia.

Both parties will likely reaffirm their shared view that North Korea’s nuclear and missile ability is spinning out of control, and review their joint defense efforts.

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