Ahn Gyu-back meets with members of the US Senate Armed Services Committee.

Emphasizes the importance of the ROK–US alliance and combined defense posture.

Also highlights shipbuilding cooperation during talks with the Acting Secretary of the Navy.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back poses for a photo with US Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker, left, and Ranking Member Jack Reed during meetings with key committee members from May 11 to 12, local time, to seek bipartisan support for the further development of the ROK-US Alliance.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, on his first visit to the United States since taking office, met with key members of the US Senate Armed Services Committee and sought their support for the transition of wartime operational control and the development of a nuclear-powered submarine program.

On May 11 and 12 (local time) in Washington, D.C., Minister Ahn held a series of meetings with US Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Roger Wicker, Ranking Member Jack Reed, and Sen. Rick Scott, Chair of the Seapower Subcommittee, to discuss key Alliance issues and the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Minister Ahn expressed his gratitude to the US Congress for serving as a strong pillar of the ROK–US Alliance and called for bipartisan interest and cooperation to help the Alliance evolve into a future-oriented, mutually beneficial partnership.

In particular, he outlined Korea's determination and efforts to assume a leading role in the defense of the Korean Peninsula and underscored the importance of maintaining a robust combined defense readiness posture. To this end, he stressed the need for bipartisan support from the US Congress for the transition of wartime operational control and for the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine.

Major US congressional leaders concurred on the importance of the ROK–US Alliance and reaffirmed that they will fulfill all necessary roles in Congress, in addition to bilateral cooperation between the two governments, to further strengthen the Alliance.

Also on May 12, Minister Ahn met with Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Kao and exchanged views on key outstanding issues of the Alliance.

He noted that South Korea can be an optimal partner for shipbuilding cooperation, citing its superior shipbuilding productivity and the legal foundation established through the enactment of the “Special Act on Investment in the United States” He asked for the support of the Navy Department, noting that the introduction of a nuclear-powered submarine would contribute to the advancement of joint ROK-US security interests and serve as an important milestone in elevating the ROK-US Alliance.

The two ministers reviewed key outstanding Alliance issues and reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining close bilateral cooperation.

By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr >

<Copyright ⓒ The Korea Defense Daily, All rights reserved>