Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back accompanied Hegseth to the DMZ on Monday and noticed mixed navy shows.
US officers have signalled a plan to make US forces extra versatile to probably function outdoors the Korean peninsula in response to a broader vary of threats, akin to defending Taiwan and checking China’s rising navy attain.
South Korea has resisted the thought of shifting the position of US troops, however has labored to develop its defence capabilities previously 20 years, with the aim of with the ability to tackle a wartime command of the mixed US-South Korean forces. South Korea has 450,000 troops.
Hegseth stated the 2 sides had been nonetheless engaged on a joint communique anticipated to handle talks about defence prices and different points, including that they had mentioned South Korea making larger navy investments.
The allies had additionally agreed to have South Korea keep and restore US ships, permitting them to remain within the space and be prepared if wanted, he stated.
