Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is "well aware" of North Korea's nuclear program, according to the Pentagon's top policy official, Elbridge Colby. Colby, who serves as the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, reiterated the administration's approach to maintain strength while remaining open to dialogue during a forum hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations. This statement comes as the United States and Israel conduct a coordinated military operation against Iran, following a stalemate in indirect nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Colby's remarks were in response to an attendee's question regarding the administration's stance on North Korea, which possesses dozens of nuclear weapons. Colby emphasized the importance of the "very close alliance" with South Korea in addressing the North Korean issue. He highlighted South Korea's commitment to increasing its defense spending to 3.5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), taking primary responsibility for conventional defense on the Korean Peninsula.
Colby further noted that South Korea is adopting a defense spending model similar to that of NATO members, who are committed to allocating 3.5 percent of GDP annually to core defense expenditures by 2035. This reflects a broader strategy of being strong yet open to dialogue, a consistent approach the Trump administration is taking in various global regions. In line with the National Defense Strategy, the Pentagon encourages South Korea to play a primary role in deterring North Korea with "limited but critical" U.S. support. Meanwhile, President Trump has expressed a willingness to reengage with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.