Seoul: Foreign Minister Cho Hyun highlighted Monday that South Korea's push to acquire nuclear-powered submarines will contribute to the alliance with the United States by boosting its deterrence capabilities. Cho made the remark during a breakfast meeting with Elbridge Colby, U.S. under secretary of defense for policy, who is visiting Seoul this week, following the Pentagon's release of a new National Defense Strategy that includes its policy direction for the Korean Peninsula and other alliance issues.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Minister Cho emphasized the significance of nuclear-powered submarine cooperation in strengthening the alliance with the U.S. by enhancing South Korea's deterrence capabilities. He called for concrete implementation steps through working-level talks. Colby expressed appreciation for South Korea's commitment, acknowledging its role as a model ally in leading the defense of the Korean Peninsula by strengthening its own defense capabilities.
The Department of War will play an active role in ensuring that key agreements reached at the summit talks are swiftly implemented, Colby was quoted as saying by the ministry. Building on the recent leaders' summits, which set the alliance on a path toward mutually beneficial and future-oriented development, Cho called on the two sides to maintain close communication and cooperation between their diplomatic and defense authorities to achieve tangible outcomes promptly.
The two sides also noted that they have maintained close coordination on Korean Peninsula issues since the beginning of both administrations. In that respect, they agreed to continue working together for peace and stability in the region while maintaining a robust South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture, the ministry said.