Overview

• The assessment followed the Korea–U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue in Seoul from Tuesday to Wednesday, the first such meeting under the Lee Jae Myung government.
• Officials reviewed a conditions-based plan centered on South Korea leading combined forces, strengthened strike and air defenses, and a regional security environment that supports a handover.
• South Korea has designated the transfer as a key policy task and will draft a roadmap, with the transition remaining contingent on meeting agreed conditions rather than a fixed timeline.
• The talks also covered deterrence and response coordination regarding North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and efforts to maintain combined readiness.
• Seoul pressed to expand defense industrial cooperation in naval shipbuilding and maintenance, repair and overhaul, an area where the U.S. side signaled agreement.