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Protection Minister Ahn Gyu-back, left, shakes arms with Elbridge Colby, U.S. undersecretary of protection for coverage, on the Ministry of Nationwide Protection in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Ministry of Nationwide Protection
Elbridge Colby, the U.S. undersecretary of protection for coverage and a key architect of Washington’s newly launched Nationwide Protection Technique (NDS), met South Korea’s prime overseas and protection officers Monday to debate alliance points together with the switch of wartime operational management (OPCON), protection cooperation and the division of prices for stationing U.S. troops on the Korean peninsula.
Colby attended separate conferences with International Minister Cho Hyun and Protection Minister Ahn Gyu-back throughout his go to to Seoul, shortly after the Pentagon’s 2026 NDS said that South Korea is able to taking main accountability for deterring North Korea with extra restricted U.S. assist.
Forward of the conferences, Colby outlined Washington’s view of the alliance in a put up on social media platform X, calling South Korea a “mannequin ally.”
“It’s a privilege to reach right here in South Korea on my first worldwide journey as Below Secretary of Conflict for Coverage,” he wrote. “The ROK is a mannequin ally that has dedicated to satisfy the worldwide customary of spending 3.5% of GDP on protection and take better accountability for its personal protection within the context of our alliance, in step with the Nationwide Protection Technique.”
Colby added that he regarded ahead to discussions with South Korean counterparts on “the right way to modernize and advance our important alliance.”
Throughout a breakfast assembly with Colby, Cho mentioned the 2 nations had made significant progress by way of final yr’s summits.
“By way of two summits final yr, the 2 leaders achieved necessary ends in setting a mutual and forward-looking route for the alliance,” Cho mentioned, in accordance with the International Ministry. “Primarily based on that basis, our diplomatic and protection authorities ought to keep shut communication and cooperation to supply concrete outcomes as early as attainable.”
Cho additionally referred to the nuclear-powered submarine program.
“Cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines strengthens our deterrence capabilities and contributes to the alliance,” Cho mentioned, including that working-level discussions ought to transfer ahead to supply particular implementation measures.
Later within the day, Colby met with Ahn on the Ministry of Nationwide Protection to debate the safety state of affairs on the Korean Peninsula, cooperation on nuclear-powered submarine building, OPCON switch and efforts to strengthen South Korea’s protection capabilities, the protection ministry mentioned.
Ahn mentioned agreements reached by the 2 leaders final yr, together with the joint truth sheet and the outcomes of the 57th Safety Consultative Assembly (SCM), marked a turning level for the alliance.
These agreements function the brand new blueprints for a modernized alliance, pivoting from conventional protection to a high-tech nuclear partnership. The very fact sheet aligns the 2 nations on vital provide chains like semiconductors and synthetic intelligence, whereas the outcomes of SCM — the annual summit of protection chiefs — combine South Korean standard forces into U.S. nuclear planning for the primary time to discourage North Korean threats.
“The joint truth sheet agreed upon by our leaders and the outcomes of the 57th SCM had been a historic turning level within the growth of the alliance,” Ahn mentioned. “We must always make this yr one through which our protection cooperation produces tangible outcomes.”
Colby reiterated his dedication to strengthening protection cooperation with Seoul, in accordance with the protection ministry. It mentioned Colby once more referred to South Korea as a mannequin ally and expressed his intention to additional deepen bilateral protection cooperation.
Ahn emphasised that OPCON switch was important to establishing a South Korean-led protection posture on the peninsula.
“Wartime operational management switch is crucial to reaching South Korean-led protection,” he mentioned, calling for nearer communication and cooperation to speed up efforts to satisfy the required situations, together with the event of a clearer street map.
“Sustaining a sturdy mixed protection posture is crucial for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” Ahn added.
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