Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says US soldiers may be used in regional conflicts but protecting against North Korea will remain the priority.
During his visit to South Korea, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the 28,500 US troops stationed there could be deployed in regional conflicts, particularly regarding China, while maintaining that the primary focus is on deterring North Korea. He praised South Korea’s plans to increase defense spending, with the defense budget set to rise by 8.2% to $46 billion. Additionally, South Korea aims to enhance its military capabilities and invest heavily in AI technology. The two nations are also discussing collaborative military strategies and enhanced roles for US forces in the region.
