US eyes troop ‘flexibility’, increased defence spending in South Korea

South Korea and the United States’ military alliance have been discussed by the defense secretary of the United States.

Pete Hegseth, who is also on a trip that included a trip to North Korea’s demilitarized zone, praised Seoul’s plans to increase defense spending on Tuesday and confirmed that US troops stationed in South Korea could face regional threats.

Hegseth claimed that the 28,500 US soldiers stationed in South Korea could be used in international conflicts, including those involving China, but the alliance’s main objective is to avoid nuclear-armed North Korea.

Hegseth remarked while addressing his South Korean counterpart, Ahn Gyu-back, that “there’s no doubt that flexibility for regional contingency is something we would look at.”

In response to a wide range of issues, including defending Taiwan or expanding China’s military presence, US officials have indicated plans to expand US forces.

South Korea, which has 450 000 soldiers, opposes the idea that US troops might play a different role. In order to take on a combined US-South Korean force’s command during a war, it has also worked to expand its defense capabilities.

increased budget

Hegseth noted that South Korea had been discussing increasing military investments and that the two nations were still working on a joint statement to address defense costs.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced significant increases in defense and AI spending in a Tuesday parliamentary address.

Lee predicted that the defense budget for the upcoming year will increase by 8.2% to 66.3 trillion won ($46 billion), the largest increase in six years.

With a funding of 10.1 trillion won ($7 billion) to support “a major transformation aimed at propelling South Korea into the top three AI powers,” along with the US and China, the nation will also triple its spending on artificial intelligence.

The budget plan totals 728 trillion won ($510 billion), an 8% increase over the previous year’s total.

According to Hegseth, the pair has also agreed to have South Korea maintain and repair US ships, allowing them to remain in the area and be prepared if necessary.

The US official, who declined to provide more information, also suggested that President Donald Trump would support South Korea’s plans to build nuclear submarines.