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President Lee Jae-myung shakes hands with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth before their meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on November 4. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung met with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on November 4, expressing confidence that regaining wartime operational control (OPCON) within his term would mark a major step forward for the U.S.–Korea alliance.

“Early recovery of wartime operational control during my presidency will become an important milestone for advancing and deepening our alliance,” Lee said during the meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, according to spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung.

Lee added that as South Korea’s defense capabilities continue to strengthen, “Korea will take the lead in defending the peninsula, and this will also help reduce the United States’ defense burden in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Earlier, Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek and Secretary Hegseth agreed at the latest Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) to accelerate progress on OPCON transfer. Lee’s remarks were seen as a reaffirmation of his determination to complete the transition within his term.

The president also expressed appreciation for President Trump’s decision to support South Korea’s development of nuclear-powered submarines, calling it “a move that will significantly boost our defense capabilities and contribute to the growth of the alliance.”

Hegseth praised Seoul’s increasing defense spending and efforts to acquire advanced conventional forces and nuclear-powered submarines. “We are proud of Korea’s commitment to strengthening its defense and will actively support it,” he said. “Korea is one of our most exemplary allies.”

He added that Washington looked forward to expanding joint shipbuilding cooperation with Korea, which he described as “a country with world-class shipbuilding capacity,” saying such collaboration would further enhance both nations’ defense strength.

Lee, in turn, asked for Hegseth’s continued leadership in developing the alliance into a “future-oriented, comprehensive strategic partnership.”

Attending the meeting were Acting U.S. Ambassador Kevin Kim, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Daniel Cane, Indo-Pacific Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo, U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson, and from Korea, Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek, National Security Office Director Wi Sung-rak, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Jin Young-seung, and Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Hyun-jong.

Secretary Hegseth arrived in Seoul on November 3 to attend the annual SCM.