The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    INTERVIEWINFINITE's Nam Woo-hyun returns after battling with rare cancer

  • 3

    NATO chief says Ukraine inflicting 'heavy losses' on Russian forces

  • 5

    Enhypen's 'Orange Blood' debuts at No. 4 on Billboard 200

  • 7

    Final vote for Expo venue to take place today

  • 9

    Population of young Koreans expected to halve by 2050

  • 11

    Nexon, Kakao Games accused of using feminist hand gesture in promotional videos

  • 13

    Former Hungarian ambassador honored with Gwanghwa Medal

  • 15

    Samsung retains top CEOs, launches unit to prepare for future

  • 17

    Record 165,000 migrant workers to enter Korea next year

  • 19

    Korea attends NATO-led cyberdefense exercise

  • 2

    2023 MAMA AWARDS hits Tokyo Dome with stellar lineup

  • 4

    Busan eyes Expo 2035 after losing to Riyadh

  • 6

    Robots slowly integrating into everyday life in Korea

  • 8

    Korea to double ceiling of immediate tax refund for foreign tourists

  • 10

    American man booked for writing graffiti in 155 locations across Seoul

  • 12

    Koreans need $2,830 a month after retirement: study

  • 14

    PHOTOSIt's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

  • 16

    Police lift travel ban on G-Dragon, request extension for actor Lee Sun-kyun

  • 18

    Mohegan Inspire integrated resort to hold soft opening in Incheon Nov. 30

  • 20

    Hyundai Motor chief named industry leader by Automotive News

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Wed, November 29, 2023 | 20:57
Defense
Pentagon chief to visit Korea this week for annual security talks
Posted : 2021-11-29 10:25
Updated : 2021-11-29 10:25
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
In this Sept. 28 file photo, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin listens during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. AP-Yonhap
In this Sept. 28 file photo, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin listens during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. AP-Yonhap

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit Seoul this week for annual defense talks with his South Korean counterpart on the envisioned transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON), North Korean threats, cybersecurity and other issues, Seoul officials have said.

Austin is set to depart for South Korea on Tuesday (Washington time) to attend the 53rd Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) slated for Thursday. It marks the first SCM between Seoul's Defense Minister Suh Wook and Austin since the inauguration of the Joe Biden administration in January.

The SCM comes as Seoul and Washington have been stepping up coordination to resume nuclear diplomacy with North Korea, despite indications of Pyongyang doubling down on its nuclear and missile programs.

High on the agenda is the conditions-based wartime OPCON transition, after which a four-star South Korean general is to lead the allies' combined forces during wartime. Currently, the U.S. has the wartime OPCON, while the South has the peacetime OPCON.

The two sides are expected to discuss when and how they will conduct the full operational capability (FOC) test of the three-stage program designed to verify South Korea's capabilities required for the OPCON handover.

In 2019, the allies completed the initial operational capability (IOC) test. But they have yet to complete the FOC test, the second part of the verification program. The full mission capability (FMC) test is the last part of the program.

The allies' discussions related to the FOC test have been proceeding in a "very amicable" atmosphere, a Seoul official said last week ― remarks that raised hopes for progress in related consultations between the two sides.

Suh and Austin also plan to discuss ways to beef up cybersecurity cooperation, including the resumption of the "Cyber Cooperation Working Group" ― an apparatus that the allies agreed to form years ago but have yet to fully activate due to administrative and other issues.

Space cooperation is another key topic, as Washington has sought to rally its allies and partners to promote the secure, sustainable use of outer space amid signs of an arms race in the new security domain.

In addition, the minister and the secretary plan to discuss ways to back up ongoing diplomacy to encourage Pyongyang's return to dialogue and bring the stalled efforts for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula back on track.

At the SCM, the two sides are also expected to touch on the ongoing process of returning U.S. military bases at the Yongsan Garrison in central Seoul to ensure Seoul's mega project to build a national park there can proceed as planned.

In a press release last week, the Pentagon said that at the SCM, "both sides are expected to pledge to continue to develop the alliance ― the linchpin of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia ― in a mutually reinforcing and future-oriented manner."

Aside from Suh and Austin, the SCM will also be attended by the allies' top defense officials, including Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Won In-choul and his U.S. counterpart, Gen. Mark Milley, as well as Adm. John C. Aquilino, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Paul LaCamera, the chief of the U.S. Forces Korea.

On the eve of the SCM, Gen. Won and Gen. Milley, will also meet for the 46th Military Committee Meeting to discuss North Korea-related security situations and the defense posture of the allied forces.

Also on Wednesday, Suh and Austin are to attend an annual alliance dinner session hosted by the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation and the Korea Defense Veterans Association. (Yonhap)


 
LG group
Top 10 Stories
1Busan eyes Expo 2035 after losing to Riyadh Busan eyes Expo 2035 after losing to Riyadh
2[PHOTOS] It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas PHOTOSIt's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
3US, S. Korea cast doubt over NK's satellite photos US, S. Korea cast doubt over NK's satellite photos
4How can Korea become more migrant-friendly? How can Korea become more migrant-friendly?
5As Christmas nears, people feel growing income disparity As Christmas nears, people feel growing income disparity
6Why are major South Korean stocks persistently undervalued? Why are major South Korean stocks persistently undervalued?
7Hyundai Motor unveils universal wheel drive system Hyundai Motor unveils universal wheel drive system
8Jefferies to open Seoul office in January Jefferies to open Seoul office in January
9Economist challenges Yoon's immigration policies Economist challenges Yoon's immigration policies
10Hyundai Card's overseas usage skyrockets with Apple Pay partnership Hyundai Card's overseas usage skyrockets with Apple Pay partnership
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[INTERVIEW] INFINITE's Nam Woo-hyun returns after battling with rare cancer INTERVIEWINFINITE's Nam Woo-hyun returns after battling with rare cancer
22023 MAMA AWARDS hits Tokyo Dome with stellar lineup 2023 MAMA AWARDS hits Tokyo Dome with stellar lineup
3NMIXX to showcase unique allure with 'Fe3O4: BREAK' album next year NMIXX to showcase unique allure with 'Fe3O4: BREAK' album next year
4Perrotin brings Shim Moon-seup's seascape-inspired canvases to Paris Perrotin brings Shim Moon-seup's seascape-inspired canvases to Paris
5December brings mix of action, thriller, romance to small screen December brings mix of action, thriller, romance to small screen
DARKROOM
  • [PHOTOS] It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

    [PHOTOS] It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

  • 2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

    2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

  • Appreciation of autumn colors

    Appreciation of autumn colors

  • Our children deserve better

    Our children deserve better

  • Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

    Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel: 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844
Date of registration: 2020.02.05
Masthead: The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group