U.S. defense chief Hegseth reaffirms steadfast alliance during 1st phone talks with his S. Korean counterpart

▲ Acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho holds phone talks with new U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Jan. 31, 2025, in this photo released by Seoul's defense ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

S Korea-US-defense chiefs

U.S. defense chief Hegseth reaffirms steadfast alliance during 1st phone talks with his S. Korean counterpart

SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho and new U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held their first phone call Friday and reaffirmed the steadfast alliance between the two nations, Seoul's defense ministry said.

In the phone conversation, both sides concurred on the need to advance and deepen the level and scope of their bilateral alliance, which has stood as a "linchpin" for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region over the past 70 years, the ministry said.

The defense chiefs agreed that sustaining the alliance through their combined defense posture is more "important than ever" to effectively deter and respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, it added.

They also agreed to continue to maintain and advance their trilateral security cooperation, also involving Japan, for such a purpose.

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