South Korean and U.S. Defense Ministers Hold SCM, Discuss Transfer of Wartime Operational Control
North Korea Launches Rocket Provocation Just Before Secretary Hegseth's JSA Visit
On November 4, the defense ministers of South Korea and the United States held the 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) to discuss major issues, including the transfer of wartime operational control.
Minister of National Defense Shin Kyubaek and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attended the SCM at the Ministry of National Defense headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the morning of November 4. The SCM is the highest-level consultative body in the defense sector between South Korea and the United States, where the two defense ministers meet to discuss and coordinate key military policies of both countries.
After participating in the honor guard ceremony with Minister Shin, Secretary Hegseth moved to the Ministry of National Defense building and signed the guest book. He wrote, "To 72 years of peace through strength in the U.S.-ROK alliance!" before continuing with the meeting. Previously, at the Military Committee Meeting (MCM) between the two countries' Joint Chiefs of Staff on November 3, meaningful progress was noted regarding the transfer of operational control.
Discussions were also held on the strategic flexibility of U.S. Forces Korea. At the previous day's MCM meeting, it was agreed that the deterrence capabilities of South Korea and the United States contribute not only to the Korean Peninsula but also to regional deterrence. There is also keen interest in discussions related to the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines, as agreed upon by the leaders of both countries.
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Meanwhile, the Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea fired about a dozen multiple rocket launchers into the northern waters of the West Sea at around 3 p.m. on November 1 and again at around 4 p.m. on November 3. This occurred approximately 30 minutes before the South Korea-China summit between President Lee Jaemyung and President Xi Jinping, as well as the joint visit by Minister Shin and Secretary Hegseth to the Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom.
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