Elbridge Colby Pentagon Official South Korea Japan Visit and the 3.5% Defense Mandate

The bill for security is coming. A top Pentagon strategist is heading to Seoul and Tokyo with a clear message: 동맹국 must step up or pay up.

According to government sources on January 7, 2026, officials are coordinating a schedule for Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby's back-to-back visits to South Korea and Japan later this month. The trip's expected to focus on heavy-hitting alliance issues, including defense spending hikes and regional security architecture.

Strategic Stakes of the Elbridge Colby Pentagon Official South Korea Japan Visit

Top of the agenda for Seoul will likely be South Korea's push for nuclear-powered submarines and the transition of wartime operational control. Colby hasn't been shy about his expectations; in a social media post last month, he urged Asian allies to "do more" for their own defense. He specifically lauded South Korea as a prime example for committing to a 3.5% GDP defense spending target.

While Seoul's Defense Ministry didn't officially verify the travel plans, they confirmed that the two nations are "closely cooperating" on pending issues. This visit is seen as a move to solidify a "new global standard" for defense contributions among non-NATO allies, a priority for the current Pentagon leadership.