President Lee Jae-myung told U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday that retaking wartime operational control within his term would upgrade the bilateral alliance. The meeting occurred as Seoul and Washington held annual security talks to discuss alliance modernization. Lee also expressed gratitude for President Donald Trump's support for South Korea's nuclear-powered submarine bid.
In a meeting in Seoul on Tuesday, President Lee Jae-myung told U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that "the early regaining of wartime operational control within my term would serve as an important opportunity to further deepen and develop the alliance between the Republic of Korea and the U.S." His five-year term ends in 2030. Lee added, "If the Korean military's capabilities are significantly strengthened and the Republic of Korea takes a leading role in defending the Korean Peninsula, the U.S. defense burden in the Indo-Pacific region will also be reduced."
The push for wartime operational control transfer aligns with South Korea's efforts to advance independent defense capabilities, as Washington urges Seoul to shoulder greater security responsibilities. South Korea handed over operational control to U.S. forces during the 1950-53 Korean War, regained peacetime control in 1994, but wartime control remains with the U.S. The two nations are pursuing a conditions-based transition.
Lee expressed gratitude for President Donald Trump's decision to support South Korea's nuclear-powered submarine bid, stating it would "significantly upgrade the Korean military's capabilities and development of the bilateral alliance." The approval followed Lee's request during their summit in Gyeongju last Wednesday to secure nuclear fuel for the submarines. Trump announced the next day on social media that he had approved construction at a Philadelphia shipyard operated by Hanwha Ocean.
Hegseth welcomed South Korea's increased defense spending, advanced conventional weapons, and pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines. He vowed interagency efforts with the State and Energy departments to fulfill Trump's pledge. At a press conference after the Security Consultative Meeting with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, Hegseth said, "The president wants our allies to be strong. Because Korea has been a model ally, he's open to opportunities like that." He also anticipated expanded shipbuilding cooperation, including joint naval vessel production, to boost both nations' defense capabilities.
The SCM marked the first between the two defense chiefs since taking office earlier this year, focusing on practical steps to modernize the alliance. Hegseth highlighted their Monday visit to the Joint Security Area in the Demilitarized Zone as demonstrating the alliance's "core." A joint communique has yet to be released.