US, South Korea to Cooperate Closely on Development of Nuclear-Powered Submarines, Says Seoul

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (2nd L) and South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (C) visit the Observation Post Ouellette near the border village of Panmunjom, South Korea, on Nov. 3, 2025. South Korea Defense Ministry via APSouth Korea’s defense ministry said on Jan. 26 that U.S. Undersecretary of War Elbridge Colby and South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back agreed to closely cooperate on South Korea’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines.The South Korean Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ahn and Colby met in Seoul to discuss the alliance, including the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and strengthening national defense capabilities.