[Full Text] 57th SCM Joint Statement... Accelerating the Transition of Wartime Operational Control

U.S. Combat Vessel to Undergo First-Ever Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) in Korea

The Ministry of National Defense and the U.S. Department of War (Department of Defense) announced an 18-point joint statement on November 14, following the 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM). Defense Minister An Kyu-baek and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had already agreed on the joint statement at the SCM held in Seoul on November 4, but the announcement was postponed until today after the release of the Joint Fact Sheet (JFS) documenting the contents of the bilateral trade and security package negotiations.

The joint statement includes plans to verify the Full Operational Capability (FOC) of the future Combined Forces Command headquarters next year as part of the transition of wartime operational control. It also covers the following agreements: ▲ increasing the national defense budget to 3.5% of GDP ▲ the first-ever maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of a U.S. combat vessel in Korea ▲ and maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Defense Minister An Kyu-baek and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth are taking a commemorative photo at the expanded 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) held at the Ministry of Defense building on the morning of the 4th. Photo by Joint Press Corps

The following is the full text of the joint statement from the 57th SCM.

1. The 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) was held in Seoul on November 4, 2025. The meeting was co-chaired by An Kyu-baek, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, and Pete B. Hegseth, Secretary of War of the United States, with senior officials from both countries’ defense and foreign affairs sectors in attendance. Prior to this, on November 3, 2025, General Jin Youngseung, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Korea, and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, presided over the 50th Military Committee Meeting (MCM).

2. Both ministers reaffirmed the commitment of President Lee Jaemyung and President Trump to advance alliance cooperation in accordance with the national interests of both countries. Minister An explained Korea’s plan to increase the national defense budget to 3.5% of GDP as soon as possible in accordance with Korea’s legal requirements, and Secretary Hegseth highly appreciated this. The ministers agreed that the SCM is a key consultative body for responding to the changing security environment and modernizing the alliance in a future-oriented and mutually beneficial direction. Furthermore, both ministers reaffirmed the strength of the ROK-U.S. alliance and the mutual commitment of both countries to uphold the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty through a strong defense posture. Minister An emphasized Korea’s leading role in the defense of the Korean Peninsula and stated that Korea would pursue the development of key defense capabilities to achieve this goal. Secretary Hegseth welcomed this commitment and pledged continued support. Both countries will enhance the U.S. conventional deterrence posture against all regional threats to the alliance, including those posed by North Korea.

3. The ministers reviewed the recent security environment and assessed regional threats, including those from North Korea. They particularly noted North Korea’s advancement of its nuclear and missile capabilities and modernization of conventional forces through military cooperation with Russia. Both sides assessed these developments as a significant challenge to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. The ministers agreed to work closely together to deter potential North Korean aggression and to support related cooperation and diplomatic efforts. Minister An emphasized efforts toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, while Secretary Hegseth reiterated the United States’ commitment to the four key pillars of the 2018 Singapore Statement: transforming U.S.-North Korea relations, establishing a permanent and robust peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, denuclearization, and recovering the remains of prisoners of war and those missing in action. In this context, Minister An explained military measures to support the government’s efforts for peacebuilding on the Korean Peninsula, including military tension reduction and trust-building between the two Koreas, and requested cooperation. Secretary Hegseth expressed understanding and support for these efforts.

4. Secretary Hegseth reaffirmed the United States’ firm commitment to provide extended deterrence to the Republic of Korea by employing the full range of U.S. military capabilities, including nuclear forces. The ministers evaluated the achievements of the ROK-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) in strengthening the alliance and enhancing extended deterrence. They welcomed the successful conduct of the ROK-U.S. Nuclear-Conventional Integration Tabletop Exercise (TTX), which was held to strengthen decision-making in the event of a potential nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula. The ministers agreed to continue building on the NCG’s achievements and to receive regular updates on the NCG at future SCMs.

5. The ministers reviewed the progress made by the ROK side in implementing the Conditions-based OPCON Transition Plan (COTP). They reaffirmed that the transition of wartime operational control should be systematic, stable, and proactive, and should only occur once all conditions specified in the COTP, as agreed upon by both countries, are met. The ministers agreed that significant progress had been made in readiness and capabilities during this year’s joint assessments, and decided to develop a roadmap for acquiring the capabilities essential to accelerate meeting the conditions required for the transition. They also agreed to pursue verification of the Full Operational Capability (FOC) of the future Combined Forces Command headquarters in 2026. Both sides confirmed that the transition of wartime operational control will strengthen the capabilities of Korea and the alliance, as well as their combined defense posture.

6. The ministers reaffirmed the role of the United Nations Command (UNC) in implementing, managing, and enforcing the Korean Armistice Agreement, deterring North Korean aggression, and coordinating multinational responses in the event of a contingency on the Korean Peninsula. They emphasized the need for closer ROK-U.S. communication and cooperation to enable the UNC to maintain and enforce the armistice. Both ministers agreed that the armistice remains effective in ensuring a stable security order on the Korean Peninsula and that all parties to the agreement must comply with it as long as the armistice regime is in place. Both sides noted that the Northern Limit Line (NLL) has served as an effective means of separating military forces and preventing military tension for the past 70 years, and called on North Korea to respect the NLL.

7. The ministers noted the critical role that U.S. Forces Korea has played on the Korean Peninsula for more than 70 years and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the current level of U.S. forces and posture to prevent armed conflict and support the alliance’s efforts to promote peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

8. The ministers reviewed the achievements of bilateral consultative bodies, noting that various mechanisms-including the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD)-have effectively supported alliance objectives. They evaluated the achievements of the Counter-Missile Working Group (CMWG) and welcomed the implementation and maintenance of the U.S. Shared Early Warning System (SEWS) for missile warning in Korea within the year. The ministers also agreed on the need for further cooperation to stabilize supply chains in the missile defense sector. They reviewed the outcomes of the Space Cooperation Working Group (SCWG), commending Korea’s contributions to space situational awareness information sharing and interoperability. The ministers agreed on the need to expand Korea’s role in strengthening and enhancing the resilience of the alliance’s space capabilities in response to growing space threats and to seek opportunities for greater Korean participation in U.S.-led space exercises and training. They also noted that the Cyber Cooperation Working Group (CCWG) has strengthened bilateral cyber cooperation and that the Cyber Alliance and Cyber Flag exercises have improved the alliance’s cyber operational capabilities. The ministers agreed to work closely to enhance interoperability and strengthen cyber capabilities and infrastructure in response to increasing security threats. Additionally, they reviewed the achievements of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Committee, highly appreciating efforts to improve information sharing for nuclear elimination operations in accordance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and applicable ROK-U.S. laws, and agreed to cooperate closely to expand post-operation management collaboration.

9. The ministers received and approved the results of the MCM submitted to the SCM by General Jin Youngseung, Chairman of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff. The ministers welcomed efforts to strengthen the combined defense posture to effectively respond to a range of security challenges, including the growing North Korean threat, and assessed that meaningful progress had been made in the stable transition of operational control based on a mutually complementary cooperative relationship.

10. The ministers evaluated that the “Freedom Shield” (FS) and “Ulchi-Freedom Shield” (UFS) exercises have improved the alliance’s crisis management capabilities and strengthened deterrence and defense capabilities. In addition, both sides noted that combined field training exercises (FTX) conducted alongside FS and UFS have enhanced interoperability and contributed to maintaining the combined defense posture. Based on these achievements, the ministers agreed to further enhance the effectiveness of combined exercises and training in response to the evolving security environment.

11. The ministers also emphasized that ensuring consistent training opportunities for both countries’ militaries is crucial for maintaining a strong combined defense posture. Secretary Hegseth stressed the importance of improving training conditions and conducting realistic live-fire exercises for both militaries. The ministers agreed on the importance of close cooperation and communication between U.S. Forces Korea and the ROK Ministry of National Defense regarding the joint use of ROK facilities and airspace for training purposes.

12. The ministers recognized the importance of trilateral security cooperation among Korea, the United States, and Japan to effectively respond to nuclear and missile threats from North Korea and others, and to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. They assessed that the Freedom Edge exercise and other military exchanges have strengthened the three countries’ response capabilities and readiness. The ministers evaluated the continued achievements of all three countries through high-level policy consultations, trilateral exercises, information sharing, and defense exchanges and cooperation, and agreed to continue strengthening Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation.

13. The ministers reviewed the achievements of the Regional Cooperation Working Group (RCWG) and recognized the importance of Korea-U.S. regional security cooperation initiatives in the Indo-Pacific. They agreed that substantial progress had been made in practical cooperation with ASEAN countries this year. The ministers highly appreciated the outcomes achieved by both countries in identifying joint cooperation tasks, such as expanding participation in multilateral exercises, defense industry cooperation, and maritime security cooperation. They also emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and agreed on the need for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues.

14. Furthermore, the ministers reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation in the defense industry sector to enhance both countries’ defense capabilities and posture and to reinforce supply chains. They highly appreciated the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work performed by Korean companies on U.S. non-combat vessels. Secretary Hegseth announced that, for the first time, a U.S. combat vessel will undergo MRO in Korea, marking a historic advancement that will enhance U.S. readiness and deterrence. The ministers also shared views on the need for cooperation in shipbuilding, as discussed at the summit, and emphasized the need to accelerate collaboration in ship construction to strengthen the U.S. Navy’s readiness. They noted that legal and institutional constraints pose challenges to deepening defense industry cooperation, including shipbuilding, and to enhancing supply chain resilience, and agreed on the need for cooperation to address these issues. The ministers welcomed the selection of the CH-47 (Chinook) engine MRO pilot project, involving Korean defense companies, under the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR) initiative. The ministers agreed to continue cooperation for sustained regional support in maritime and aviation assets and to expand such cooperation to ground assets.

15. The ministers emphasized the importance of cooperation in defense science and technology (S&T) for developing defense capabilities and agreed to pursue collaboration in advanced defense technology fields, including artificial intelligence and manned-unmanned teaming systems. They recognized the importance of the Defense Science and Technology Executive Committee (DSTEC), chaired at the vice-ministerial level, for achieving substantial progress in alliance defense science and technology cooperation, and agreed on the need to convene the inaugural meeting as soon as possible.

16. Both sides discussed the relocation and return of U.S. military bases in Korea and agreed to work closely to ensure base returns in accordance with the Korea-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and related agreements. The ministers agreed to expedite procedures for returning the remaining Yongsan base and unreturned bases in northern Gyeonggi Province based on mutual agreement and to discuss these issues through regular consultations under the SOFA channel to achieve mutually acceptable outcomes in the future.

17. Secretary Hegseth expressed appreciation for Korea’s contributions to ensuring stable stationing conditions for U.S. Forces Korea. The ministers also assessed that the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing has significantly contributed to strengthening the combined defense posture of the ROK-U.S. alliance.

18. Minister An and Secretary Hegseth concluded that the discussions at the 57th SCM and the 50th MCM contributed to strengthening and modernizing the ROK-U.S. alliance in response to the changing security environment. The ministers commended the officials of both countries who contributed to the advancement of the alliance and expressed gratitude for their dedication and sacrifice. Both sides agreed to hold the 58th SCM and the 51st MCM in Washington, D.C., at a mutually convenient time in 2026.