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President Lee Jae Myung (center) poses for a photo with a delegation of US senators at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Thursday. From left are John Curtis, Jeanne Shaheen, Lee, Jacky Rosen and Thomas Tillis. (Yonhap)


President Lee Jae Myung met a bipartisan delegation of US senators at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on T 바다이야기릴게임2 hursday, discussing the Middle East situation, wartime operational control and the future direction of the alliance.
According to the presidential office, the meeting was attended by Sens. J 황금성게임다운로드 eanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Jacky Rosen of Nevada, both Democrats, as well as Sens. Thomas Tillis of North Carolina and John Curtis of Utah, both Republicans, along with James R. Heller, US cha 릴게임다운로드 rge d’affaires ad interim.
From the South Korean side, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, national security adviser Wi Sung-lac and other senior officials were also present.
바다이야기고래 During the meeting, Lee said he hoped to hear the delegation’s assessment of the ongoing situation in the Middle East, in addition to broader views on global security challenges.
He reiter 바다이야기pc버전다운 ated Seoul’s commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities while reaffirming its goal of regaining wartime operational control, which he aims to achieve within his term by 2030.
“Given South Korea’s economic and political development over the years, it is appropriate for us to take greater responsibility for defending the Korean Peninsula,” Lee said, adding that such efforts would help also reduce the burden on the United States while contributing to regional peace and stability.
He stressed that denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula remains a key priority, describing it as an issue that extends beyond the peninsula to broader regional and global security.
In that context, Lee said Seoul aims to play a facilitating role in encouraging dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang, noting that he told US President Donald Trump during his visit to the United States in August last year that while Washington could act as a “peacemaker,” South Korea would serve as a “pacemaker” in supporting the process.
In response, the senators reaffirmed bipartisan support for the alliance and expressed interest in hearing Lee’s views on the Middle East and other global issues.
Shaheen said efforts toward wartime operational control transfer should be carried out in a way that ensures readiness to respond to any crisis.
Wartime operational control currently remains under US authority within the US-led South Korea-US Combined Forces Command framework established after the 1950-53 Korean War.
Curtis emphasized that the presence of some 28,500 US troops in South Korea reflects Washington’s firm commitment to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, adding that the delegation’s visit also aims to underscore bipartisan support for deterrence amid growing threats from North Korea and China.
He also praised South Korea’s efforts to increase defense spending and expand purchases of US-made weapons, noting that Washington is paying close attention to such moves, as well as Seoul’s investment in the United States and cooperation in sectors including shipbuilding.
The meeting marked the first known meeting between Lee and US senators since August 2025, when he met Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Andy Kim to discuss alliance cooperation and regional security.
Earlier in the day, the delegation met Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, who requested congressional support for South Korea’s plan to build nuclear-powered submarines.
Ahn also highlighted that cooperation in shipbuilding and maintenance, repair and overhaul could contribute to revitalizing the US shipbuilding industry and strengthening maritime capabilities, the Ministry of National Defense said.
The delegation is scheduled to visit Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on Friday to observe cooperation between South Korean and US forces.