US EditionUS, South Korea agree to deepen cooperation on nuclear-powered subs, Seoul says
South Korea commits to increasing defense spending to 3.5% of GDP and integrating forces into U.S. nuclear planning to deter North Korean threats, officials said.
- On Jan. 26, 2026, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby and South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back agreed in Seoul to deepen cooperation on Seoul's pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines, the defence ministry said.
- The NDS's call for allies to take primary responsibility prompted South Korea's pledge to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP and press for OPCON transfer, South Korean officials said.
- The joint fact sheet and 57th Security Consultative Meeting outcomes align critical supply chains and integrate South Korean conventional forces into U.S. nuclear planning, urging working-level talks to implement details.
- The ministry said the deal will strengthen deterrence and the alliance by boosting South Korea's military-led defense posture, though construction details remain unclear as South Korea said overseas building is 'extremely difficult' while the U.S. insisted on domestic construction.
- Colby will next travel to Japan to brief on the NDS and the Pentagon expects to release a Global Posture Review soon while officials stressed deterrence by denial along the First Island Chain.
36 Articles
36 Articles
US, South Korea to Cooperate Closely on Development of Nuclear-Powered Submarines, Says Seoul
South Korea’s defense ministry said on Jan. 26 that U.S. Undersecretary of War Elbridge Colby and South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back agreed to closely cooperate on South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines. The South Korean Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ahn and Colby met in Seoul, South Korea, to discuss the alliance, including the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and strengthening national defense capa…
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US, South Korea agree to deepen cooperation on nuclear-powered subs, says Seoul
US Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby and South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back agreed during talks on Jan 26 to deepen cooperation on Seoul’s pursuit of a nuclear-powered submarine, South Korea’s defence ministry said.
US, South Korea agree to deepen cooperation on nuclear-powered subs, Seoul says
U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby and South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back agreed during talks on Monday to deepen cooperation on Seoul's pursuit of a nuclear-powered submarine, South Korea's defence ministry said.
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