South Korea’s National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac held discussions with US Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker to kick off follow-up negotiations on a prior agreement between their leaders. Both sides emphasized the importance of the ROK-US alliance for peace in the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region. Talks also covered various issues, including Seoul’s efforts to enhance its nuclear capabilities and the transfer of wartime operational control of South Korean troops.
The US delegation, led by Hooker, arrived in South Korea to engage in talks regarding the agreement made by Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Donald Trump on Seoul’s nuclear-powered submarine plans. The discussions are set to include uranium reprocessing and other security matters. The talks mark the beginning of crucial security consultations between the two nations, focusing on deepening their alliance and fulfilling agreed-upon commitments in the nuclear sector.
The initial day of talks concentrated on security-related provisions outlined in a joint fact sheet following the Lee-Trump summit. The discussions are seen as a significant step in resuming long-delayed security consultations. The agenda includes topics such as South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines and its nuclear capabilities for fuel supply. Additionally, shipbuilding cooperation and a USD 350 billion investment pledge by Seoul in the US are part of the security talks.
