Seoul, South Korea – U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby began an official visit to the South Korean capital, Seoul, for high-level security talks. This visit comes at a critical juncture following the release of the U.S. National Defense Strategy 2026, which outlines a radical shift in Trump’s defense doctrine toward allies on the Korean Peninsula.
Assigning primary responsibility to Seoul
According to the new strategy released last Friday, Washington called on South Korea to assume a “primary role” in deterring threats from its northern neighbor. It also announced that U.S. military support would be “crucial but more limited.”
This policy aims to enable the Trump administration to prioritize the protection of U.S. territory. Furthermore, it seeks to modernize the posture of U.S. forces worldwide.
Field movements and demands for “burden sharing”
Colby held talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun amid anticipation of the Pentagon’s release of its “Global Posture Review,” which will determine the locations and numbers of US troops abroad. Colby is known for his hawkish stance and his persistent demands that allies shoulder a greater financial and military burden. Seoul has responded by raising its annual defense spending to 3.5% of GDP. It is also seeking to regain wartime operational control of Korean forces from the United States and to move forward with its nuclear-powered submarine program, which aims to bolster its self-deterrent capabilities.
Seoul’s stance: Holding fast to the alliance amid concerns
For his part, the South Korean foreign minister stressed the need for “close communication and cooperation,” describing US forces in Korea as a “key component” of regional stability. These moves come as South Korean President Lee Jae-myung warned of Pyongyang’s accelerating nuclear ambitions. He also indicated that North Korea could be capable of producing 20 nuclear weapons annually.
Challenges of dialogue with Pyongyang
Despite President Lee’s attempts to open channels of dialogue with the North, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un continued to project power through tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching deep into the United States. As a result, the security landscape is becoming increasingly complex amid the gradual withdrawal of direct U.S. military support.
