An Kyu-baek to Meet U.S. Defense Secretary: "Discussing OPCON and Nuclear Submarines"

High-Level Talks Achieved Amid Key Issues Including OPCON and Nuclear Submarines

Defense Minister An Kyu-baek will visit the United States to meet with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Defense Minister An Kyu-baek visited the Coastal Surveillance Mobile Battalion of the Army’s 35th Division conducting coastal surveillance operations in the Jeonbuk region on the 24th of last month. After inspecting the pilot operation status of the "AI-based Coastal Surveillance Operation System," he encouraged the soldiers who are doing their best in mission performance. Photo by the Ministry of National Defense via Yonhap News Agency

The Ministry of National Defense announced on May 9 that Minister An will visit the United States from May 10 to 14. This marks Minister An's first trip to the United States since taking office in July last year.

On May 11 (local time), Minister An is scheduled to hold talks with Secretary Hegseth in Washington, D.C. He will also meet with the Acting Secretary of the Navy, the Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the Chair of the Seapower Subcommittee, among other U.S. government and congressional officials.

A Ministry of National Defense official commented on the visit, stating, "The purpose is for direct high-level communication to review the implementation of follow-up measures related to the South Korea-U.S. summit and the SCM agreements." The official added, "Key issues to be discussed will include wartime operational control (OPCON) and nuclear-powered submarines."

During Minister An's visit, the South Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD), a vice ministerial-level meeting between the two countries' defense authorities, will also be held in Washington, D.C. from May 12 to 13.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.