Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back of South Korea stands with US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth at the US Department of Defense in Washington, DC, on May 11, 2026. (Kim Won-chul/Hankyoreh)
In a meeting at the Pentagon on Monday, Korean Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed major issues impacting the South-US alliance, including the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) of the Korean military.The readout released after their meeting indicates that the two defense officials discussed security affairs on the Korean Peninsula and issues impacting their bilateral alliance, including the US’ push for alliance modernization.“Secretary Hegseth underscored the importance of modernizing the Alliance while adopting a clear-eyed and pragmatic approach to deter threats and enhance the combined US-[Republic of Korea] defense posture,” said Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesman, in the readout.The South Korean Ministry of National Defense echoed that assessment of Hegseth’s remarks while relating that Ahn had “explained the ROK’s recent efforts to increase defense spending, secure critical national defense capabilities, and lead the defense of the Korean Peninsula.”The Pentagon also said that the two officials had “agreed to remain in close contact and further cooperation in areas of mutual security interest.”That appears to be a reference not only to the OPCON transfer and alliance modernization but also the whole range of issues on the two countries’ agenda, including cooperation on Seoul’s push to build nuclear-powered submarines and on reopening the Strait of Hormuz for shipping.This was Ahn and Hegseth’s first meeting since the 57th Security Consultative Meeting, which was held in Seoul on Nov. 4, 2025. It was also Ahn’s first visit to the US since he took office last July.In prepared remarks, Hegseth said that the meeting arrives at “a pivotal moment for the US-ROK alliance. Together, our nations are taking strong actions to ensure our combined readiness and to defend vital national security interests.”While speaking of Epic Fury, the US and Israel’s military operation against Iran, Hegseth said that “in this current global threat environment, the strength of our alliance is critical, and we look to our partners to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us.”
