• U.S. maintains focus on deterring North Korea while looking for troop flexibility.
• South Korea to increase defense spending and aims for greater military investment.
• Plans for South Korean nuclear-powered submarines supported by U.S. officials.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the primary focus of the U.S.-South Korea alliance remains on deterring North Korea, while also expressing the need for "flexibility" for U.S. troops stationed in the region. His remarks came during a visit to South Korea where he toured the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), emphasizing the importance of adapting to regional threats, which may include conflicts beyond the Korean Peninsula, such as those involving China, according to Reuters, Reuters, and Channel News Asia.

Hegseth highlighted that the 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea might be utilized for broader defense efforts, although he confirmed nuclear threat mitigation from North Korea is the alliance's primary goal. He stressed the necessity of flexibility for U.S. forces in response to evolving threats, underscoring the strategic importance of joint military readiness, as noted by Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

In tandem with these strategic shifts, South Korea is set to significantly boost its defense budget, which will grow by 8.2% to reach 66.3 trillion won ($46 billion). This increase, coupled with a planned tripling of spending on artificial intelligence, illustrates Seoul's commitment to enhancing its military capabilities. Hegseth remarked on the importance of South Korea assuming a greater military leadership role within the alliance, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Additionally, discussions have reaffirmed U.S. support for South Korea's ambitions to develop nuclear-powered submarines, with South Korean officials indicating possible deployment by the mid-2030s, contingent upon U.S. fuel provisions. Such advancements reflect the strategic partnership and mutual defense enhancement between the two allies, according to Reuters, Reuters, and Channel News Asia.