Elbridge Colby, U.S. vice minister for policy at the War Department (Department of Defense), who visited Korea on the 25th, met Ahn Gyu-baek, Minister of the Ministry of National Defense, on the 26th.
The Ministry of National Defense said Minister Ahn and Vice Minister Colby met at the ministry on the morning of the same day and discussed pending issues in the South Korea-U.S. alliance, including the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, nuclear-powered submarines, the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), and strengthening defense capabilities.
Minister Ahn assessed that last year's agreement on a joint fact sheet between the two leaders and the holding of the 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) became a historic turning point in the development of the alliance, and said the two countries would produce tangible results in defense cooperation this year. It was also assessed that Vice Minister Colby's choice of Korea as the first destination for his overseas tour after taking office was made in the same context.
Minister Ahn and Vice Minister Colby, in particular, agreed that cooperation between South Korea and the United States to build South Korea's nuclear-powered submarines would be a milestone that elevates the South Korea-U.S. military alliance while strengthening Korea's military-led defense capabilities on the Korean Peninsula, and they promised close coordination.
Minister Ahn told Vice Minister Colby, "Transferring wartime operational control (OPCON) is essential to realize the defense of the Korean Peninsula led by the South Korean military," and noted, "We will strengthen communication and cooperation, including developing the OPCON transition roadmap." He also emphasized that a strong combined defense posture is important for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and explained the government's policy toward North Korea.
Vice Minister Colby said, "We will continue efforts to strengthen defense cooperation with the Republic of Korea, a model ally."
Vice Minister Colby, who is leaving for Japan on the 27th, met with the heads of Korea's foreign affairs and security ministries, including Minister Ahn and Cho Hyun, Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss key pending issues.