President Lee Jae Myung (right) and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Nov. 4 pose for photos at the Office of the President in Seoul. (Office of the President)

By Yoon Sojung

Korea and the U.S. have agreed to closely cooperate on the former's introduction of nuclear-powered submarines and acceleration of the transfer of wartime operational control from Washington to Seoul.

President Lee Jae Myung on Nov. 4 held talks with visiting U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the Office of the President in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District on reinforcing and further developing their bilateral alliance, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said.

Secretary Hegseth arrived in Seoul to attend the bilateral Security Consultative Meeting (SCM).

"Early restoration of wartime operational control during my term of office will serve as an important opportunity to deepen and further develop the bilateral alliance," President Lee said at the meeting. "If we take the lead in the defense of the Korean Peninsula through greatly improved military capacity, the U.S. will also see a lower burden in the defense of the Indo-Pacific region."

On U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to support Korea's development of nuclear submarines, President Lee said, "Securing nuclear submarines will strongly upgrade our military's capability to lead the defense of the Korean Peninsula and greatly contribute to the development of the bilateral alliance."

Secretary Hegseth said he was proud of and strongly supported Seoul's efforts to raise its share of defense costs and boost its defense capacity, calling Korea "a model ally" in that regard.

He also expressed anticipation for stronger cooperation in shipbuilding with Korea, a global leader in the field, through joint production of vessels. He added that such collaboration will greatly help bolster the defense capabilities of both countries.

Secretary Hegseth reiterated this commitment at the SCM that day held at the Ministry of National Defense compound in Yongsan-gu. He and Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-Back discussed issues surrounding their bilateral alliance including Seoul's pursuit of nuclear submarines, transfer of wartime operational control, higher defense spending by Seoul and cooperation in the defense industry.

Asked about the submarine issue at a joint news conference after the SCM, Secretary Hegseth reminded the media of President Trump's approval of the project.

Military authorities will fully support the decision, he said, pledging close cooperation with relevant American departments such those of state and energy.

Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-Back (right) on Nov. 4 poses for photos with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the bilateral Security Consultative Meeting at the ministry compound in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. (Facebook page of Ministry of National Defense)

arete@korea.kr