In a series of phone conversations, United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed the U.S.’s commitment to the defense of Japan and South Korea as tensions increase in the Indo-Pacific region.
Hegseth engaged in separate calls with Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Republic of Korea (ROK) Acting Minister of National Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo. The dialogues focused on reinforcing mutual defense strategies, addressing regional security challenges and enhancing trilateral cooperation among Japan, the ROK and the U.S., according to U.S. Defense Department news releases. The conversations also included broader security issues, such as cybersecurity and space defense. Hegseth and his counterparts acknowledged the growing importance of these domains in modern warfare and pledged to collaborate on enhancing capabilities.
During his conversation with Kihara, Hegseth underscored the U.S.’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. He emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance, highlighting the need for continued military cooperation and combined exercises. Both leaders agreed to further enhance their defense capabilities by expanding bilateral presence in Japan’s Southwest Islands and modernizing joint command and control to counter threats in the region.
Similarly, in his discussion with Jeong, Hegseth discussed the strong U.S.-ROK alliance, describing it as a cornerstone of regional security. The two officials discussed various measures to deter aggression from North Korea, including advanced military exercises and enhanced intelligence sharing. They also agreed on the importance of maintaining a robust defense posture to ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Hegseth also spoke about the significance of trilateral cooperation among the three nations. He stressed that such collaboration is essential to address common security challenges, including the threat posed by North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs. The defense chiefs agreed to continue strengthening their trilateral engagements to safeguard shared interests and uphold international norms.
The discussions occurred against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions, with North Korea’s recent missile tests and China’s People’s Liberation Army’s assertive actions in the South China Sea, raising concerns among U.S. Allies and Partners.