South Korea’s Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back met with US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby to talk about South Korea’s plans for nuclear-powered submarines and regaining wartime control of its troops. Both sides emphasized the importance of their alliance and the need for concrete outcomes in defence cooperation this year. They also discussed South Korea’s role in deterring North Korea and the new National Defence Strategy released by the Pentagon.
Colby assured continued efforts to enhance defence collaboration with South Korea, highlighting the country as a valuable ally of the US. The potential cooperation on nuclear submarines was seen as a significant step to strengthen South Korea’s defense capabilities and elevate the alliance to a higher level. The meeting also touched upon the Pentagon’s recent National Defence Strategy, which acknowledged South Korea’s ability to take primary responsibility in deterring North Korea with US support.
During a visit to the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command, Defence Minister Ahn stressed the importance of a strong defence posture in the face of evolving security challenges. He emphasized the need to implement agreements reached during summit talks and annual security meetings promptly. The alliance aims to expedite the conditions for transferring wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul by 2030, as agreed in the Security Consultative Meeting held in November.
Ahn praised the Combined Forces Command as the core of the South Korea-US alliance and called for a steadfast combat readiness stance in the rapidly changing security landscape. He expressed hope for the Command to play a central role in bolstering the combined defence posture by 2026 and maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula. Additionally, Ahn conveyed New Year’s wishes to South Korean and American troops, acknowledging their contributions to peace and stability in the region.
