Readout of Under Secretary for War for Policy Elbridge Colby Visit to the Republic of Korea and Japan

Department of War Spokesman Tom Crosson provided the following readout:

Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby concluded his visit to the Republic of Korea and Japan where he met with senior defense and government officials in Seoul and Tokyo to advance the key principles of the 2026 National Defense Strategy and the President's peace through strength agenda.

While in the Republic of Korea, Under Secretary Colby met with Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back, National Security Advisor Wi Sung-Lac, and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. Discussions focused on alliance modernization, ROK efforts to assume primary responsibility for conventional deterrence and defense against North Korea, and the importance of burden sharing.

During the visit, Under Secretary Colby also met with Gen. Xavier Brunson, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, to receive briefings on force posture, operational plans, and the status of the conditions-based transition of wartime operational control. He also spoke at the Sejong Institute where he outlined the 2026 National Defense Strategy. Under Secretary Colby's speech can be found here.

Under Secretary Colby then traveled to Tokyo, where he met with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs FUNAKOSHI Takehiro and Vice Minister of Defense YAMATO Taro, as well as other senior Government of Japan officials. Discussions focused on the profound importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance and the urgency of Japan's efforts to quickly improve its defense capabilities to materially strengthen deterrence in the region.

While in Japan, Under Secretary Colby also met with U.S. Ambassador George Glass and Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, Commander, U.S. Forces Japan, where they discussed efforts to strengthen alliance coordination and improve U.S forces' readiness to deter conflict.