Colby says Trump gov't is 'well aware' of N. Korean nuclear issue amid Iran operation

▲ Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby speaks during a forum hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington on March 4, 2026. (Yonhap)

Colby-N Korea

Colby says Trump gov't is 'well aware' of N. Korean nuclear issue amid Iran operation

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, March 4 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is "well aware" of North Korea's nuclear program, the Pentagon's top policy official said Wednesday, reiterating America's approach to "be strong but be open to dialogue."

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby made the remarks during a forum hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations, as the United States and Israel are conducting a coordinated military operation against Iran following an impasse in indirect nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.

"Well, we did say something about North Korea, and we are well aware of that," Colby said, responding to a question from an attendee who pointed out that he has not said anything about North Korea having dozens of nuclear weapons.

The official said that the North Korea issue is being dealt with within what he called the "very close alliance" with South Korea.

"(South Koreans) have agreed to the new global standard of 3.5 percent, and they've (agreed) to take primary responsibility for their conventional defense on the (Korean) Peninsula," he said, referring to Seoul's pledge to raise its defense spending to 3.5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP).

He went on to say that South Korea is extending the defense spending "model" from Europe "to their great credit" as he was alluding to North Atlantic Treaty Organization members' commitment to spending 3.5 percent of GDP annually on core defense expenditures by 2035, and up to 1.5 percent of GDP on other defense-linked areas.

"But again, I think the overall approach is similar to the approach we are taking elsewhere, which is be strong, but be open to dialogue and engagement," he said.

In its National Defense Strategy, the Pentagon calls on South Korea to take a primary role in deterring North Korea with "limited but critical" U.S. support, while Trump has repeatedly expressed his openness to reengaging with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

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