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US, S. Korea Reaffirm Alliance, Stress Readiness Amid Global Tensions
(MENAFN) US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back at the Pentagon on Monday, where both sides discussed strengthening military cooperation and maintaining joint readiness in an increasingly unstable global security environment.
The closed-door talks focused on the strategic importance of the US–South Korea alliance, with Hegseth describing the current period as a “pivotal moment” for bilateral defense coordination.
He emphasized that both countries are taking coordinated steps to reinforce deterrence and operational preparedness.
“Together, our nations are taking strong actions to ensure our combined readiness and to defend vital national security interests,” he said.
Hegseth also referenced recent US military actions against Iran, describing them as evidence of the administration’s broader approach to confronting international threats.
He reiterated that the alliance with Seoul remains central to US strategy and stressed expectations that partners will remain closely aligned during crises.
A significant portion of the discussion also focused on defense spending and burden-sharing. Hegseth welcomed South Korea’s commitment to increasing its military budget, calling it a key contribution to alliance responsibilities.
“As I noted during my visit to Seoul last November, (South) Korea's commitment to increase defense spending and your leadership in assuming primary responsibility for the security of the Korean Peninsula is very important,” he said, referring to his earlier visit to the Demilitarized Zone.
He added that expanded burden-sharing is a core pillar of the upcoming US National Defense Strategy, alongside priorities such as homeland defense, countering China in the Indo-Pacific, and strengthening the US defense industrial base.
The meeting is also intended to build momentum ahead of the upcoming Korea–US Integrated Defense Dialogue scheduled later this week in Washington, a regular high-level forum aimed at deepening defense coordination amid ongoing regional security concerns on the Korean Peninsula.
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