Seoul: U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby has recounted his recent trip to Seoul, noting that he had "excellent" meetings with South Korean officials to discuss joint efforts to "modernize" the bilateral alliance and strengthen collective defense, among other topics.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Colby shared details of his engagement with top security and foreign policy officials in Seoul, including National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, during his trip from January 25-27. South Korea was the first stop in his Asia tour, which also included Japan.
The trip to these countries, which Colby described as "vital allies" in America's "priority theater" of Asia, coincided with Washington's call for allies to increase their defense spending and assume greater security responsibilities. This shift aligns with the U.S. focus on defending its homeland and the Western Hemisphere while countering Chinese threats.
Colby expressed his satisfaction on social media, particularly highlighting his meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, where they discussed strategic and geopolitical topics openly. He also noted a constructive dialogue with ROK National Security Advisor Wi Sung-Lac about pragmatic steps for alliance modernization and strengthening collective defense.
In discussions with Defense Minister Ahn, Colby commended South Korea's readiness to take "primary" responsibility for its conventional defense against North Korea and its commitment to increasing defense spending to 3.5 percent of its GDP. They explored practical ways to enhance collaboration on defense matters.
The Pentagon's new National Defense Strategy, released before Colby's trip, emphasizes South Korea's role in deterring North Korea with critical but more limited U.S. support. This approach is part of a broader effort to update U.S. force posture on the Korean Peninsula.