US defence chief signals flexibility on Korea troop role amid submarine talks

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington could consider using US Forces Korea (USFK) in a regional contingency, including a potential Taiwan Strait crisis, while reaffirming the American commitment to deterring North Korean threats.

“Flexibility for regional contingencies is something we would take a look at,” Hegseth told reporters after annual security talks with South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back in Seoul on November 4, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

He stressed that USFK remains focused on “standing by our allies here in ensuring the threat of the DPRK is not a threat to the Republic of Korea” and on maintaining extended nuclear deterrence.

The talks came as Hegseth announced that Washington would proceed “in a deliberate manner” to fulfill President Donald Trump’s pledge allowing South Korea to build nuclear-powered submarines in a US shipyard. Trump granted the approval following a request from President Lee Jae Myung to secure nuclear fuel for the vessels.

“The president wants our allies to be strong. He wants our allies to have the best capabilities,” Hegseth said. “Because Korea has been a model ally, he’s open to opportunities like that to ensure they have the best capabilities in their own defence and alongside us as allies.”

Hegseth highlighted South Korea’s “incredible” shipbuilding industry and said partnership in areas such as submarine and surface warfare “will be mutually beneficial to both countries.”

The Pentagon chief also underscored the strength of the alliance, calling it “stronger than ever” and welcoming Seoul’s plan to boost defence spending. His visit to the Demilitarised Zone on November 3, he said, demonstrated the “core” of the U.S.–South Korea partnership.

The annual Security Consultative Meeting marked the first between Hegseth and Ahn since both took office, as the allies continue to discuss Seoul’s bid to regain wartime operational control and broader efforts to modernise the alliance. A joint communiqué outlining their agreements has yet to be released.

By Sabina Mammadli