Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Pentagon chief points out 'new standard' for Asian, other allies' defense spending

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted a "new standard" for Asian and other allies' defense spending on Wednesday, as he reiterated President Donald Trump's call for NATO members to raise defense spending to 5 percent of their GDP.

2025-06-19

Pentagon chief renews Trump's call for Indo-Pacific allies to increase burden sharing

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday reiterated President Donald Trump's call for allies in the Indo-Pacific to increase their defense burden-sharing, noting that America "can't want their security more than they do."

2025-06-11

Korea almost absent in Hegseth's speech at Shangri-La Dialogue

U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth's Shangri-La Dialogue speech largely overlooked South Korea amid leadership changes, raising concerns about the bilateral alliance's future.

2025-06-01

Korea stresses importance of maintaining USFK in talks with U.S. lawmakers

A senior Korean defense official has underscored the importance of maintaining the current troop level of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea during meetings with U.S. lawmakers Saturday, the South's Ministry of National Defense said.

2025-06-01

North Korea urges United States to stop military threats

North Korea urged the U.S. to cease military threats, claiming they escalate tensions. The statement followed U.S. troop positioning reports, which the Pentagon denied, reaffirming commitment to South Korea.

2025-05-25

Envisioned Pentagon strategy may lead allies to explore 'greater flexibility' of USFK to counter China: Ex-U.S. official

An envisioned U.S. national defense strategy may lead South Korea and the United States to explore "greater flexibility" of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) to help keep an assertive China in check, a former senior Pentagon official said.

2025-05-14

Korea, U.S. to hold regular KIDD defense talks at Pentagon next week: Spokesperson

South Korea and the United States plan to hold their key regular defense talks in Washington next week, a Pentagon spokesperson said Thursday, in a sign that the allies are maintaining close security cooperation under the Trump administration.

2025-04-25

U.S. defense secretary had an unsecured internet line in his office for Signal, AP sources say

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagon’s security protocols set up in his office to use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer, two people familiar with the line told The Associated Press.

2025-04-25

'Disrupter' Hegseth's unsettled Pentagon starts turning against him

Pete Hegseth wanted to make waves at the Pentagon. But less than 90 days since being sworn in as U.S. defense secretary, he appears put off balance by the very turbulence he himself created.

2025-04-22

South Korea reaffirms shared 'firm understanding' of USFK's role over reported Pentagon memo

South Korea reaffirmed Tuesday its shared "firm understanding" with the United States on the role of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), following a report on a Pentagon memo suggesting a potential shift in their mission.

2025-04-01