US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby has met South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back. Colby is believed to have explained his country’s new national defense strategy.
South Korea’s defense ministry says the meeting was held in the country on Monday.
Colby reportedly said the US will work to strengthen defense cooperation with South Korea, which he called a model ally. Seoul has indicated a plan to raise defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP.
Colby likely provided a detailed explanation of the strategy released last week. It says, “South Korea is capable of taking primary responsibility for deterring North Korea with critical but more limited US support.”
The document also says the strategy shift is “consistent with America’s interest in updating US force posture on the Korean Peninsula.” South Korean media reported that the US forces in the country may focus more on China than the North.
Colby plans to visit Japan on Tuesday as the US is calling on its allies and partners to increase defense spending.
AloJapan.com