Elbridge Colby, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy, is scheduled to visit South Korea and Japan next week.
Sources revealed on January 23 that Colby will be in South Korea from January 25 to 27. During his visit, he’s set to meet with key diplomatic and security officials to discuss pressing matters concerning the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
Colby’s trip aims to brief officials on the Donald Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy (NSS), which was unveiled on December 5. As a known confidant of President Trump, Colby has been instrumental in crafting the national security strategy for Trump’s second term. This strategy notably emphasizes ramping up competition with China and urging allies to shoulder more of their defense responsibilities.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary is also expected to engage in discussions on several critical issues, including potential increases to South Korea’s defense budget, preparations for the transfer of wartime operational control, and the proposed construction of nuclear-powered submarines.
Following his stay in South Korea, Colby is slated to visit Japan. This itinerary underscores the strategic importance Washington places on trilateral military cooperation between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan in the region.