U.S. and South Korea Broaden Agreement to Address China Amid Ongoing North Korean Threat

The strategic adaptability of U.S. military forces stationed in South Korea is once again in the spotlight as Washington and Seoul respond to shifting security challenges in the region. On a recent trip to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted that deterring North Korea remains the alliance’s central mission, but also indicated that the U.S. is weighing broader operational possibilities for its troops — potentially involving scenarios outside the Korean Peninsula, such as conflicts with China. Nevertheless, Hegseth reiterated that North Korea is still the main concern,

noted. These statements are consistent with ongoing U.S. initiatives to realign its military posture to address changing geopolitical realities, including regional flashpoints like the defense of Taiwan, .

At the same time, South Korea is strengthening its own defense capabilities. President Lee Jae Myung has unveiled an unprecedented 8.2% rise in the 2026 defense budget, bringing it to 66.3 trillion won ($46 billion) — the most significant increase in six years. The administration also intends to triple spending on artificial intelligence, reaching $7 billion, with the goal of becoming one of the top three AI nations globally, according to Al Jazeera. These initiatives are part of Seoul’s broader plan to eventually take over wartime operational control of the combined U.S.-South Korean forces, a longstanding objective pursued for more than 20 years, as VOI has reported.

An important step in U.S.-South Korea defense collaboration is the possible development of nuclear-powered submarines by South Korea, with backing from the U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration gave the green light for Seoul to move forward with this plan, and if U.S. technology is used for fueling, the first submarine could be operational by the mid-2030s,

. Defense authorities have emphasized that obtaining fuel through talks with the U.S. is essential, and South Korea’s expertise in conventional submarines makes it well-suited for the task. However, it remains unclear whether these submarines will be constructed in South Korea or in American shipyards, as Trump has suggested.

Recent military actions by North Korea have heightened the urgency of these initiatives. While Hegseth was in the region, North Korea launched artillery rockets near the DMZ, with South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff attributing the incident to rising tensions,

. North Korea has also dismissed the idea of denuclearization as unrealistic and has strengthened its relationship with Russia, even sending troops to aid Moscow’s campaign in Ukraine.

The U.S. and South Korea have also agreed to deepen their logistical partnership, with Seoul pledging to provide maintenance and repairs for U.S. naval vessels to ensure operational readiness during regional emergencies, according to Al Jazeera. This cooperation supports the U.S. objective of sustaining a flexible military presence in Asia, as highlighted in recent policy discussions covered by VOI.