Senior US defense official to visit Seoul next week

엘브리지 콜비 미 국방차관 [사진=연합뉴스]

SEOUL, January 23 (AJP) - A high-ranking U.S. defense official is expected to visit Seoul next week.

Elbridge Colby, the under Secretary of defense for policy, is scheduled to meet with South Korean foreign and defense officials here from Jan. 25 to 27 as part of his Asia trip, which will also include a stop in Japan.

The close aide to U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to outline the White House's new security strategy, announced early last month, which urges allies to increase defense spending with a focus on ensuring "America remains the greatest and most successful nation in human history."

Key issues on the agenda are expected to include a hike in defense spending, the transfer of wartime operational control, and the development of nuclear-powered submarines.

Colby is also expected to emphasize the importance of trilateral military cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.
Jun Sung-min 기자 ball@ajunews.com

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