The Korea Times
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back will visit the United States next week for talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the defense ministry said Saturday, as the allies seek to discuss a host of pending issues, including the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON). Ahn will make a five-day trip to Washington starting Sunday and plans to hold talks with his American counterpart on Monday (U.S. time), the ministry said. It will be Ahn's first visit to the U.S. as defense minister. His visit comes as South Korea is seeking to retake wartime command of its troops from the U.S. and pushing to build nuclear-powered submarines with U.S. support. President Lee Jae Myung's government, which has championed "self-reliant" defense, aims to reclaim the wartime OPCON before its five-year term ends in 2030. It is reportedly targeting 2028 for the transition, while President Donald Trump's administration is still in office. But signs of a difference in views emerged after U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. Xavier Brunson told Congress last month that the two countries seek to meet conditions req
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