US Defense Secretary Candidate Donald Trump Describes North Korea As 'Nuclear Power'

Pete Hegseth. (Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore)

JAKARTA - United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described North Korea as a "nuclear force" that threatens global stability, as well as highlights the need for allies to increase "scattering" in an effort to achieve what he calls a "healthy" partnership.

Hegseth delivered the statement in a written response submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee ahead of his confirmation hearing on Tuesday.

President-elect Donald Trump nominated Hegseth a former host of the Fox News Channel and veteran Army on duty in the Gulf of Myria, Iraq, and Afghanistan in November.

"The DPRK status as a nuclear force, its strong focus on increasing the range of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, and its growing cyber capabilities, all pose a threat to stability on the Korean peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific region, and globally," he wrote, using the official name of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. , reported The Korea Times January 15.

"These threats are of special concern given the closeness of the DPRK to close US allies who are the bases of US troops," he added.

Hegseth said that in recent years North Korea, China, and Russia had "significantly" expanded and modernized the capabilities of their nuclear forces.

"This increase, which includes advances in warheads, launch systems and command and control systems, poses a growing threat to the United States and its allies," he said.

In particular, he noted Pyongyang is expanding its nuclear stockpile and increasing the miniaturization of warheads to a mobile launch system on the highway.

He underlined the importance of missile defenses against North Korea's growing threat.

"Increasing the missile defense system, especially for the country, will be important to counter the threat of the DPRK, in addition to efforts to stem the growth of its nuclear weapons and missiles," he explained.

Furthermore, he points to the strategic value of the alliance and partnerships, but highlights the need for an increase in the "scattering of burdens" of allies.

"The United States maintains the strongest alliance system in the world, and the common defense interests with us with our allies and partners create unrivaled strategic advantages," he explained.

"Increasing the expenditure of allied defense and partners as well as sharing of expenses is very important to ensure our relationship is one-sided," he explained.

His remarks about the need to increase the division of expenses emerged as speculation continued, Trump could seek renegotiation of last year's defense cost-sharing deal with South Korea, demanding Seoul pay more for the maintenance of US Troops in Korea (USFK) with 28,500 personnel.

Although Pyongyang is thought to have had nuclear weapons six times after its nuclear tests since 2006, US officials have refused to publicly recognize North Korea as a nuclear-powered country the desired status of the Pyongyang regime.

His depiction of North Korea as a nuclear-armed country may reflect Pyongyang's reality of calling itself a nuclear-powered country in its Constitution, adopting nuclear doctrine, and showing no desire to give up its nuclear weapons.

On the other hand, the majority of US officials are generally reluctant to publicly refer to Pyongyang as a nuclear-powered country, as it can be interpreted as acceptance and legitimacy.

It remains unclear whether Trump's description of Hegseth of North Korea is adhered to and will be reflected in the upcoming government policy approach.