Minister Ahn Gyu-baek of the Ministry of National Defense met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the United States on the 11th (local time) to discuss U.S.-Korea military issues. The meeting is expected to cover issues such as the transfer of wartime operational control and the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines.

According to the Ministry of National Defense and others, the U.S.-Korea defense ministers' meeting was held for the first time in six months since it took place in Korea in Nov. last year. The Minister Ahn arrived at the Ministry of National Defense headquarters near Washington, D.C., in the morning, and after a welcome ceremony moved inside the building to begin talks with Minister Hegseth.

Minister Ahn Gyu-baek of the Ministry of National Defense (left) and Pete Hegseth, U.S. Minister of the Department of defense (War Department), attend the national anthems and other ceremonies before their meeting at the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., on the 11th (local time). /Courtesy of Yonhap News

In his opening remarks, the Minister Ahn emphasized the Korean government's determination to lead the defense of the Korean Peninsula. Ahn said, "Since Minister Hegseth took office, we highly assess how the United States, already the strongest in the world, has been developed into an even more powerful military," adding, "We are also doing our utmost to realize Korean-led defense of the Korean Peninsula by increasing our defense spending."

Minister Hegseth raised Korea's cooperation in U.S. military operations against Iran. Referencing "EpicFury," he said, "The strength of our alliance matters, and we expect our partners to stand shoulder to shoulder with us."

The agenda for this meeting is expected to include the transfer of wartime operational control and cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines. The Minister Ahn told reporters at Incheon Airport before departure, "At last year's Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), we said we should fix the year (for the transfer of wartime operational control) at this year's SCM at the end of the year," adding, "This will also be one of the key issues this time."

On nuclear-powered submarines, Ahn also said, "If the U.S. side provides some fuel support, there will be no major hurdles to proceeding with the process (including construction)," adding, "We will discuss areas of mutual cooperation between the U.S. and Korea."

The issue of HMM's Namu, which was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, also appears likely to be raised. Minister Hegseth previously said the explosion on the Namu was the result of an Iranian attack and noted that Korea should take an active role in the matter.

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