U.S. Defense Secretary nominee calls North Korea a "nuclear power" and threat to global stability

The incoming Trump administration's defense chief nominee Pete Hegseth has called North Korea a "nuclear power."

Most U.S. officials have refrained from this phrase amid concerns that it legitimizes the regime's illicit weapons program and casts doubt on efforts to ensure nuclear non-proliferation.

Lee Eun-hee reports.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, described North Korea as a threat to global stability, calling it a "nuclear power."

Hegseth made the comments in reply to advanced policy questions submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee ahead of his confirmation hearing for the role of 29th Secretary of Defense.

Hegseth wrote that North Korea's nuclear weapons, missile development, and growing cyber capabilities threaten stability in the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific, and globally.

He added that the threat is especially concerning due to North Korea's proximity to U.S. allies hosting American troops, and if confirmed, he will request both classified and unclassified briefings on the DPRK threat.

His use of "nuclear power" differs from the term "nuclear weapon state" under international law, as it includes countries with nuclear weapons that are not officially recognized as countries with nuclear weapons.

With him potentially running the U.S. Department of Defense, overseeing over 3 million people and a budget of nearly 9 hundred billion U.S. dollars, Hegseth's remarks signal a clear recognition of the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear capabilities.

He also said he plans to reassess the readiness of U.S. military forces globally and ensure adequate funding to strengthen U.S. posture and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

This suggests the Trump administration may seek higher defense contributions from South Korea for U.S. forces stationed in the country.

Regarding China's military threat, Hegseth emphasized the need for greater global burden-sharing, along with increased investment in the U.S. defense industrial base.

Hegseth emphasized that strong alliances require mutual responsibility and cannot be one-sided, noting that the U.S. will push for increased defense spending and burden-sharing from allies.

He also said that strengthening these partnerships through consistent cooperation is key to enhancing mutual trust.

Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.