U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and USFK Commander Xavier Brunson. [Source: USFK X (formerly Twitter) capture]Allison Hooker, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, who is visiting South Korea to launch follow-up security consultations for the ROK-U.S. summit joint factsheet, held a separate meeting with USFK Commander Xavier Brunson.

On the 2nd, the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) of the two shaking hands, along with a message stating, "Commander Brunson welcomed Under Secretary Hooker to Seoul today."

It is reported that Commander Brunson and Under Secretary Hooker met at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul that day to exchange views on pending ROK-U.S. issues.

While it is not unusual for a high-ranking State Department official to meet with the USFK commander during a visit to South Korea, this meeting draws attention as it comes amid recent differences in opinion between Commander Brunson and the South Korean government regarding his "dagger" remarks and the transition of Wartime Operational Control (OPCON).

The USFK added, "USFK and the State Department are united in our commitment to readiness, deterrence, and security on the Korean Peninsula. Diplomacy and defense are moving forward together," which is being interpreted as an effort to emphasize that the diplomatic policy line and the USFK are aligned in their stance.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also mentioned during his speech at the Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) held in Singapore on the 30th of last month (local time) that he had held an extensive discussion with Commander Brunson regarding the OPCON issue when asked about it.