On Thursday, President Lee Jae Myung met with a U.S. Senate delegation at the Blue House, outlining his vision to bolster South Korea’s self-reliant defense capabilities while maintaining the foundation of the Republic of Korea (ROK)-U.S. Alliance.
The President emphasized his commitment to reducing the U.S. burden through the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) and increased defense spending, asserting that South Korea should take a leading role in managing Northeast Asian security.
During the meeting, President Lee engaged with Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Thom Tillis, Jacky Rosen, and John Curtis, seeking their insights on U.S.-South Korea relations and their assessment of the ongoing Middle East situation.
He expressed deep gratitude for America’s sacrifices during the Korean War and subsequent economic and military support, but stressed that given South Korea’s significant growth, it’s now appropriate for the nation to take primary responsibility for its defense.
President Lee elaborated on his strategy, stating that by increasing our defense budget and regaining wartime operational control, it aims to alleviate the burden on the U.S. while taking charge of maintaining peace and security in Northeast Asia.
Addressing the North Korean nuclear issue, he reaffirmed denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as a core objective. Lee emphasized that peace and stability in the region are global concerns, highlighting South Korea’s role as a mediator to facilitate productive dialogue between North Korea and the United States.
Referencing past communications with former President Donald Trump, Lee recalled that he told President Trump that if he’s the peacemaker, it’ll serve as the pacemaker in this process.
The U.S. delegation reciprocated by reaffirming the importance of the ROK-U.S. Alliance and its bipartisan support. Senator Shaheen lightened the mood with a jest about hoping to see the President perform a drum solo, eliciting laughter from the group.
She acknowledged South Korea’s challenges stemming from the Middle East conflict and expressed interest in hearing President Lee’s perspective on resolving current issues and enhancing bilateral cooperation.
Senator Curtis underscored that the presence of U.S. Forces Korea demonstrates America’s unwavering commitment to peace and security on the peninsula, noting their visit aimed to reinforce this bipartisan stance.
He commended President Lee’s pledge to increase defense spending to 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) and procure 25 billion USD in U.S. military equipment by 2030, recognizing it as a significant commitment that’s garnering attention in Washington.