Hegseth Pledges to Strengthen Defense Cooperation With Japan, South Korea

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to his Southern Korean and Japanese counterparts for the first time on the phone.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on Jan. 30, 2025. Alex Brandon/AP Photo

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held introductory calls with his counterparts in Japan and South Korea on Jan. 30, reaffirming U.S. security partnerships with both countries.

Hegseth was sworn in on Jan. 25 after narrowly winning Senate confirmation. In a statement to the military after taking office, he said the United States “will work with allies and partners to deter aggression in the Indo–Pacific by Communist China.”