SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - South Korean and U.S. defense chiefs will meet in Seoul next week. According to the Ministry of National Defense, Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-back will hold talks with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for their annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in Seoul on Nov. 4.
The working-level talks between the two, which will cover key military policies and security issues, mark the first such meeting since the new administrations of both countries took office earlier this year.
"A wide range of topics will be discussed to strengthen the bilateral alliance in a future-oriented and mutually beneficial manner, in response to changing security environments and threats," the ministry said.
These include coordination on policies toward North Korea, a combined defense posture, extended deterrence, regional security cooperation, and collaboration in the defense industry.
In a press release earlier, the U.S. Department of War said Hegseth will "applaud Seoul's willingness to step up on defense spending and assume greater responsibility for the alliance's deterrence and defense," suggesting that the modernization of the bilateral alliance will be discussed including possible changes to the role of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and adjustments to South Korea's defense spending.
Discussions on the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) to Seoul are also expected to be on the agenda.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
The working-level talks between the two, which will cover key military policies and security issues, mark the first such meeting since the new administrations of both countries took office earlier this year.
"A wide range of topics will be discussed to strengthen the bilateral alliance in a future-oriented and mutually beneficial manner, in response to changing security environments and threats," the ministry said.
These include coordination on policies toward North Korea, a combined defense posture, extended deterrence, regional security cooperation, and collaboration in the defense industry.
In a press release earlier, the U.S. Department of War said Hegseth will "applaud Seoul's willingness to step up on defense spending and assume greater responsibility for the alliance's deterrence and defense," suggesting that the modernization of the bilateral alliance will be discussed including possible changes to the role of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and adjustments to South Korea's defense spending.
Discussions on the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) to Seoul are also expected to be on the agenda.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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