The US Will Consider Its Troops' "Flexibility" Operations In South Korea

US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth visited South Korea's demilitarized zone (DMZ) - North Korea with Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back. (Twitter/@SecWar)

JAKARTA - The United States will consider "flexibility" for its troops stationed in South Korea to operate against regional threats, but the core of the alliance with Seoul will remain focused on preventing North Korea, Defense Minister Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday.

He spoke with his South Korean counterpart on a visit to South Korea which previously included a visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the border with North Korea.

When asked if the 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea could be used in any conflict outside the peninsula, including with China, Hegseth said in the briefing, protecting against nuclearly armed North Korea was the alliance's goal.

"But there is no doubt that the flexibility for regional contingents is something we will consider," he said.

Defense Minister Hegseth said the two sides were still drafting a joint communication that was expected to discuss talks on defense costs and other issues, adding they had discussed increasing South Korean military investment.

The two allies also agreed that South Korea maintain and repair US ships, which allow them to remain in the region and be ready if necessary, he said.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back accompanied Hegseth to DMZ on Monday and observed joint military demonstrations between the two countries.

Uncle Sam's country officials have signaled plans to make US troops more flexible, to potentially operate outside the Korean Peninsula in response to broader threats, such as defending Taiwan and controlling China's growing military reach.

South Korea rejects the idea of diverting the role of US troops, but has been working to improve its defense capabilities in the last 20 years, with the aim of taking over the joint command of US-South Korea forces in times of war. Ginseng Country is known to have 450,000 troops.

Regarding nuclear-powered submarines, US President Donald Trump's decision to support the plan was driven by his desire to have a strong ally, Defense Minister Hegseth said.

"He wants our allies to have the best abilities," said the US Defense Minister.

"And as Korea has become an example ally, it is open to such opportunities, which ensures they have the best ability in their own defense and are with us as allies," he said.

However, Defense Minister Hegseth said he could not comment on the exact details of what President Trump agreed to.

South Korean officials said they could launch nuclear-powered submarines in the mid-2030s if fueled from the United States.

When asked about concerns South Korea could develop its own nuclear bomb, Defense Minister Ahn noted South Korea was the signing of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"Therefore, there will be no development of nuclear weapons in the Republic of Korea," he said.