Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Minister of War (Department of Defense), said on the 4th that he would actively support Korea's introduction of nuclear-powered submarines. Minister Hegseth held the 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) with Minister Ahn Gyu-baek at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan that day and discussed key pending issues, including the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) and an increase in Korea's defense spending. However, the joint statement documenting the main agenda was not made public.
Minister Ahn and Minister Hegseth held a joint press conference after the SCM and said they "reconfirmed the firm South Korea-U.S. alliance and the solid combined defense posture." Minister Hegseth said that under the leadership of the South Korea-U.S. presidents, the alliance will further develop, and that from U.S. President Donald Trump's perspective, which emphasizes strengthening the role of allies, Korea is a model nation.
Minister Ahn said, "As the 'joint fact sheet' is still being drafted, we will announce it later," adding, "At this SCM, we agreed to derive defense cooperation measures to respond to the rapidly changing security environment and the future, and to advance the alliance based on mutual trust and cooperation between South Korea and the United States." The South Korean and U.S. governments are currently preparing a joint fact sheet covering the countries' tariff negotiations and investment, trade, and security.
Minister Hegseth reaffirmed President Trump's approval of Korea's introduction of nuclear-powered submarines. He said, "From the standpoint of wanting to enhance allies' capabilities, (the president) approved (the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines)," adding, "We are confident this helps not only Korea's defense capabilities but also the South Korea-U.S. alliance." He then said cooperation would be expanded, deepened, and strengthened not only for submarines but also for surface ships and combat ships.
Minister Ahn emphasized the peaceful purpose of nuclear-powered submarines. In response to the question, "Does Korea hope to push for developing nuclear weapons?" Minister Ahn said, "There can be no development of nuclear weapons in the Republic of Korea. The Republic of Korea is a country party to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is an unshakable pledge."
The SCM is the highest-level South Korea-U.S. defense body that consults and coordinates major military policy. It is known that, in addition to OPCON transfer and an increase in Korea's defense spending, the two sides discussed ways to expand defense industry cooperation to include the U.S. military's ground equipment sector.