US-South Korea Relations
Lee says South Korea, US remain deadlocked on investment pledge issues
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President Lee Jae Myung stated in a Bloomberg interview that South Korea and the United States remain deadlocked on key details of Seoul's $350 billion investment pledge. Negotiations continue on implementing the July trade agreement, with issues including investment methods, amounts, and timelines. He anticipates a rational outcome ahead of talks with President Trump at the APEC summit.
Security adviser says no info on Trump-Kim talks but will prepare
South Korea's national security adviser Wi Sung-lac said there is no information yet on a possible meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. He stated that South Korea will be prepared should the possibility arise. The remarks came after Trump expressed openness to meeting Kim during his visit to South Korea this week.
Hegseth to visit South Korea urging allies on defense spending
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will travel to Asia this week, including South Korea, to stress the need for allies to boost defense spending and contribute to collective defense. The Pentagon said Hegseth will praise South Korea's commitment to increasing defense spending and taking greater responsibility for alliance deterrence during the annual Security Consultative Meeting in Seoul on Nov. 4. This comes amid intensifying U.S.-China rivalry and North Korea's nuclear advances.
Hegseth calls South Korea's OPCON transfer push 'great'
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth positively assessed South Korea's push to retake wartime operational control from the United States, calling it a 'great' endeavor. He depicted South Korea as a 'combat credible partner' during a press meeting on a plane en route to Malaysia. The remarks underscore the U.S. emphasis on allies assuming greater security responsibilities.