Hegseth Hails Seoul's Plan to Boost Defense Spending as Allies Brace for Regional Threats

Hegseth Hails Seoul's Plan to Boost Military Spending and Strengthen Defenses

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday praised South Korea's announcement that it will increase military spending and strengthen its defense capabilities. Speaking in Seoul after annual security talks with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, Hegseth said the move signals that Seoul is preparing to shoulder a larger share of its own defense against North Korean aggression as allies prepare for "regional contingencies."

The officials discussed modernizing the decades-old U.S.–South Korea alliance, aligning capabilities, and improving burden-sharing. Washington has been urging Seoul to bolster conventional forces so the United States can concentrate more resources on strategic competition with China.

Hegseth described the talks as constructive and said he was "greatly encouraged" by Seoul's commitment to increase defense budgets and invest in indigenous military capabilities, including enhanced conventional deterrence and readiness. South Korea's planned investments are expected to strengthen deterrence on the peninsula and make the alliance more resilient to a range of threats.

"We must brace for regional contingencies and ensure our combined forces are aligned and ready," Hegseth said after the talks, underscoring the emphasis on closer coordination and shared responsibility.

Analysts say the shift reflects a broader U.S. strategy to rebalance forces by delegating more conventional defense responsibilities to allies while retaining focus on the Indo-Pacific strategic competition. Seoul's increased spending aims to bolster deterrence against Pyongyang and contribute to regional stability.