Seoul: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the United States will work closely with South Korea on nuclear submarines, underscoring the vital nature of the bilateral ties. This announcement came during a joint news conference with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back after their annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in Seoul.

According to Anadolu Agency, the two sides agreed to enhance defense cooperation, modernize their alliance, and expand industrial collaboration. Hegseth emphasized the commitment to working with the Department of State and the Department of Energy to fulfill President Donald Trump's promise regarding South Korea's nuclear submarine ambitions. President Trump had already approved South Korea's plan to develop a nuclear-powered submarine, which the South Korean Defense Ministry anticipates could be operational by the mid-to-late 2030s using domestic technology.

Hegseth highlighted the strength of the US-South Korea alliance, announcing a new agreement for the maintenance and repair of US warships in Korean shipyards. He noted the alliance's significance to the Asia Pacific region and the need for modernization. South Korean Defense Minister Ahn expressed a commitment to increasing defense spending and enhancing military capabilities, including missile defense and space operations.

Addressing concerns about South Korea potentially developing its own nuclear weapons, Hegseth reaffirmed the focus of the alliance on defending against threats from North Korea. Minister Ahn reiterated South Korea's adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The context of these discussions included recent tensions, as the South Korean military reported that North Korea fired approximately 10 artillery shells from a multiple rocket launcher system into the Yellow Sea, just before Hegseth's visit to the Demilitarized Zone.