Minister An Kyoo-baek Meets Acting U.S. Navy Secretary, Requests Support for Nuclear Submarines

"Emphasizing Nuclear Submarines as a Milestone in Elevating the Alliance"

"South Korea Is the Optimal Partner for U.S. Shipbuilding Cooperation"

An Byung Kyu-baek, Minister of National Defense of South Korea, who is currently visiting the United States, met with the Acting Secretary of the U.S. Navy and requested support for South Korea's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.

Yonhap News Agency

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 13th, Minister An met with Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao on the morning of the 12th (local time) in Washington, D.C., where they discussed key alliance issues.

Minister An emphasized that South Korea’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines would contribute to enhancing the joint security interests of South Korea and the United States and serve as a significant milestone in elevating the ROK-U.S. alliance. He requested active support from the Department of the Navy. He also highlighted that South Korea not only possesses outstanding productivity in shipbuilding, but has also established a legal basis for investment in the United States through the enactment of a special act on investment. Therefore, he stressed that South Korea is the optimal partner for the United States in shipbuilding cooperation. According to the Ministry of National Defense, both officials agreed to continue close cooperation between the two countries going forward.

The U.S. Department of Defense consists of the Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, and Department of the Air Force. The Department of the Navy oversees the Navy and the Marine Corps. Last year, the leaders of South Korea and the United States agreed in a joint factsheet to cooperate on the construction of nuclear-powered submarines for South Korea. However, follow-up negotiations have stalled due to delays in South Korea's investment implementation in the United States and the negative impact of issues such as the Coupang matter.

During his visit, Minister An also met with U.S. congressional figures including Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Jack Reed, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; and Rick Scott, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Seapower. They discussed alliance issues such as the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON). Minister An explained South Korea’s determination and efforts to play a leading role in the defense of the Korean Peninsula, emphasized the importance of maintaining a combined defense posture on the peninsula, and requested congressional support for OPCON transfer and the construction of nuclear-powered submarines. The members of Congress expressed their agreement on the importance of the U.S.-ROK alliance and reaffirmed their commitment to fulfilling their legislative roles to further strengthen the alliance.

In addition, Minister An visited Arlington National Cemetery on the 11th and the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the 12th, laying wreaths at both sites. This is Minister An’s first official visit to the United States since taking office. On the 11th, he also met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to discuss issues such as OPCON transfer and South Korea’s contributions to the resumption of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

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