A U.S. delegation is set to visit South Korea to discuss the implementation of a joint fact sheet agreed upon by South Korea and the U.S., focusing on security topics including nuclear submarines and nuclear energy collaboration. According to spokesperson Park Il of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation will likely consist of representatives from various governmental departments, including the National Security Council, State Department, Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to security discussions. The U.S. aims to hold substantial discussions rather than mere introductory meetings during this visit, which is scheduled for late February or early March.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that South Korea is forming Task Forces led by the Ministry of National Defense for nuclear submarines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for nuclear cooperation. There is no confirmed method yet for how the two sides will engage in talks, but possibilities include joint discussions or divided sessions. The U.S. intends to ensure that meaningful dialogue occurs, with discussions expected to cover both nuclear submarine and enrichment/reprocessing issues concurrently, given the involved departments' expertise.

While the U.S. is trying to expedite the delegation's arrival by the end of February, potential obstacles could arise from various elements, including trade war dynamics, as President Donald Trump has hinted at re-imposing tariffs on South Korea. This context may influence the security delegation’s agenda, indicating that the negotiations around tariffs and trade could play a crucial role in shaping the overall security discussions. The Ministry expressed hope that resolving trade issues could yield positive outcomes for security-related dialogues, thereby fostering a more collaborative atmosphere during bilateral discussions.