Seoul: The defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States were set to hold their annual security talks in Seoul on Tuesday to discuss a range of security issues, such as how to modernize the decades-long alliance between the two nations. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will co-chair the 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) at the defense ministry in Seoul. This marks their first joint leadership of the event since both took office earlier this year.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this year's meeting may include discussions on key alliance and security issues, including the "strategic flexibility" of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea and Seoul's push to retake wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington. Both sides are also expected to consult on Seoul's efforts to acquire a nuclear-powered submarine following discussions between President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump in their recent summit talks.
South Korea has pledged to regain OPCON from Washington within President Lee Jae Myung's five-year term, which ends in 2030. Hegseth has acknowledged Seoul's push for OPCON transfer and described South Korea as a "combat credible" partner, emphasizing the need for allies to assume greater security responsibilities. Ahn has committed to making efforts to ensure the retaking of OPCON from Washington while maintaining a strong alliance.
During their summit in Gyeongju, Lee requested Trump to allow his country to secure nuclear fuel supplies for conventionally armed submarines to better track North Korean and Chinese vessels, stating it would ease the operational burden for U.S. forces. Trump subsequently announced in a social media post that he approved South Korea's plan to build a nuclear-powered submarine at a Philadelphia shipyard operated by South Korea's Hanwha Ocean.
The meeting on the Korean Peninsula occurs amid North Korea's deepening military alignment with Russia and its advancement of nuclear and missile capabilities, including the recent unveiling of the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile. Seoul's defense ministry has identified policy coordination on North Korea, combined defense posture, extended deterrence, and naval maintenance as key topics for discussion in this year's talks.
"Both sides plan to discuss overall pending issues to advance the alliance in a future-oriented and mutually beneficial direction to respond to the changing security environment and threats," the ministry stated earlier in a release. The U.S. Department of War also confirmed Hegseth's attendance at the SCM, noting he will commend Seoul's increased defense spending and willingness to assume greater responsibility for the alliance's deterrence and defense.
Hegseth arrived in South Korea on Monday afternoon for his two-day visit, concluding his Asia tour that included stops in Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Upon arrival, he visited the Joint Security Area inside the Demilitarized Zone with Ahn, marking the first joint visit to the JSA by the allies' defense chiefs in eight years.