Elbridge Colby, the U.S. Department of Defense (War Department) Under Secretary for Policy, said on the 14th (local time), in response to South Korea announcing it would raise defense spending to 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), that “South Korea is truly a model ally (model ally).”

At a congratulatory address at the National Foundation Day of Korea and Armed Forces Day reception held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC, that day, Under Secretary Colby said, “South Korea is now the first U.S. treaty ally outside the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to promise to meet the ‘3.5% for defense spending’ benchmark that President Trump presented at the NATO summit in The Hague,” making the remarks.

The ROK and the United States specified a plan to increase South Korea defense spending to 3.5% of GDP in the Joint Fact Sheet released on the 14th Korea Standard Time following the summit. Colby, considered the Pentagon ‘number three’ after the Secretary of Defense and the Deputy Secretary, also said, “This occasion will, in effect, be my first public remarks.” Colby has been known to refrain from public-facing activities.

Colby, a close confidant of U.S. President Donald Trump and a security policy expert, said that “President Lee Jae-myung and South Korea are demonstrating effort and resources (investment), seriousness, and commitment through action.” Regarding the ROK-U.S. alliance, Colby said, “This alliance is a future-oriented alliance,” and added that it is “a very important part” of the Department of Defense under the Trump administration and Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha, who hosted her first reception after taking office, said in her greetings, “President Lee Jae-myung and President Trump have opened a new chapter in our alliance,” and added, “this alliance reflects the reality that South Korea military, economic, and technological capabilities are growing.” Ambassador Kang welcomed guests that day wearing hanbok.

Michael DeSombrie, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, John Noh, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia, U.S. Representative James Workinshaw (Democrat-Virginia), and Representative Ryan Zinke (Republican-Montana) also attended.