▲ Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (3rd from L) poses for a group photo with a delegation of U.S. Senate lawmakers visiting South Korea and James Heller (R), charge d'affairs ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, on April 2, 2026, in this photo provided by the defense ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
▲ Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee (C) poses for a group photo with a delegation of U.S. House lawmakers visiting South Korea on April 2, 2026, in this photo provided by the defense ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) defense chief-US lawmakers

(LEAD) Defense chief discusses alliance issues with U.S. lawmakers

(ATTN: ADDS details, photo, byline)

By Lee Minji

SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Thursday held talks with a delegation of U.S. Senate lawmakers visiting South Korea and discussed ways to improve the Seoul-Washington alliance, the defense ministry said.

In the meeting, Ahn requested bipartisan congressional support for the alliance to advance in a future-oriented and mutually beneficial manner, mentioning South Korea's bid to build a nuclear-powered submarine, according to the ministry.

Ahn also emphasized how mutually beneficial cooperation in the area of shipbuilding and maintenance, repair and operations can serve as a vital factor in the U.S. push to revive its shipbuilding industry and bolster maritime strength.

In response, the U.S. delegation pledged bipartisan support for the 70-year alliance that has become one of the most successful alliances in the world, the ministry said.

Attending the meeting were four U.S. Senate lawmakers, comprising Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jacklyn Rosen (D-NV), Thomas Tillis (R-NC) and John Curtis (R-UT).

Later Thursday, Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee separately held talks with a delegation of U.S. House lawmakers, who are members of the bipartisan Congressional Study Group on Korea, also visiting the country.

Six lawmakers attended the meeting, comprising Reps. Ami Bera (D-CA), Ryan Zinke (R-MT), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Jill Tokuda (D-HI) and Pat Harrigan (R-NC).

During the talks, Lee briefed the delegation on Seoul's efforts to achieve the handover of wartime operational control from Washington, stressing he hopes the move will develop in a direction that strengthens the South Korea-U.S. alliance and their combined defense posture.

South Korea has been seeking to achieve the "conditions-based" handover of wartime command from the U.S. within President Lee Jae Myung's five-year term that ends in 2030.

The U.S. delegation said their visit has served as an opportunity to enhance their understanding of Seoul's defense policy, and pledged efforts to bolster the alliance between Seoul and Washington, according to the ministry.

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