South Korean Defense Minister An Gyu-baek is scheduled to visit the United States next week for high-level talks with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The meeting aims to strengthen the bilateral alliance and address pressing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing the Yonhap news agency, the five-day visit will focus on several key issues, including the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON). South Korea is actively seeking to regain military command over its forces and is advocating for US support in the construction of nuclear-powered submarines. The government of President Lee Jae-myung, a proponent of "independent" defense, aims to complete the OPCON transfer by the end of its five-year term in 2030. Additionally, the two sides may discuss South Korea's potential support for US-led efforts to ensure maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
The security partnership between Seoul and Washington remains a cornerstone of stability in Northeast Asia, particularly amid the evolving nuclear and missile threats from North Korea. Historically, South Korea transferred operational command of its armed forces to the UN Command, led by the United States, during the Korean War (1950–1953). Under the administration of US President Donald Trump, the alliance continues to emphasize integrated deterrence and modernized defense cooperation to maintain a free and open regional order. This visit is seen as a critical step in aligning the strategic objectives of both nations in a rapidly changing global security environment.
