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| ▲ Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks to correspondents at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, D.C., on May 12, 2026. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (L) and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pose ahead of their talks at the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., on May 11, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) |
(2nd LD) defense chief-Hormuz strait
(2nd LD) Seoul to review 'phased' contributions to U.S. initiative in Hormuz: defense chief
(ATTN: UPDATES with more details, background in paras 6-8, 13; ADDS, REPLACES photos)
SEOUL, May 13 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Wednesday he has told his U.S. counterpart that Seoul will review making phased contributions to Washington's initiative in restoring safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to reporters at the South Korean Embassy in Washington, Ahn said Seoul conveyed to Washington that it would "participate as a responsible member of the international community and review ways to contribute in phases" while sharing details of his discussions with his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth, at the Pentagon earlier this week.
Ahn cited the declaring of support, dispatching personnel, sharing information and providing military assets as possible means of participation.
The minister, however, said the two sides did not hold in-depth discussions on direct participation by the South Korean military. "There are also matters that must follow our domestic legal procedures."
On Monday, the presidential office strongly condemned an apparent attack on South Korean-operated cargo ship HMM Namu in the Strait of Hormuz last week and pledged to continue to participate in international efforts to ensure maritime safety and freedom of passage.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Hegseth have repeatedly called for South Korea to make contributions toward efforts to restore maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
In his meeting with Ahn on Monday (U.S. time), Hegseth said the U.S. was looking to South Korea, and other partners and allies to "stand shoulder to shoulder" during times of conflict, according to the Pentagon.
According to Ahn, the two countries have held extensive discussions regarding the incident involving the HMM Namu. The minister said he has told the U.S. side of Seoul's investigation on the incident and that the South Korean military could provide technical analysis and advisory support to the U.S. if necessary.
Ahn said Hegseth expressed understanding during their talks regarding South Korea's push for an early transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) under agreed conditions.
"I explained increases in defense spending and efforts to secure key military capabilities to realize South Korea-led defense of the Korean Peninsula," Ahn said. "It was also a meaningful opportunity to candidly discuss key alliance issues, such as the OPCON transfer and our push to build nuclear-powered submarines."
The defense minister also reaffirmed Seoul's commitment to an early OPCON transfer.
"If there are areas where we need to seek greater understanding and persuasion in the future, we will do so," he said. "From our standpoint, we are firm in the position of an early OPCON transfer with no wavering on that point."
The talks came amid apparent differences between the two sides, after U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. Xavier Brunson told Congress last month that the allies aim to meet the conditions for the OPCON transfer by no later than the first quarter of 2029. Seoul is reportedly seeking to retake OPCON in 2028.
Regarding South Korea's nuclear-powered submarine initiative, Ahn said security issues should be approached separately from economic matters.
"We believe security matters should be approached on a different track from economic issues," he said, adding the countries shared a consensus that working-level consultations should be launched at the earliest date despite the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.
Ahn said there were no discussions on any potential reduction of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea or the issue of the strategic flexibility of U.S. Forces Korea.
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