Seoul: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will embark on a strategic trip to the Indo-Pacific region, including a significant stop in South Korea, to emphasize the necessity for allies to enhance their defense expenditures and contribute to "collective defense," according to the Pentagon.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Hegseth's itinerary includes visits to Hawaii, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and South Korea. The mission aims to bolster defense relationships and reaffirm the United States' commitment to maintaining "peace through strength and a balance of power in the region." This initiative comes as Washington seeks to deepen cooperation with allies amid escalating tensions between China and the U.S.

The Pentagon highlighted that key themes of Hegseth's trip will focus on America's priorities in the Indo-Pacific, the significance of allies boosting their defense budgets, and the department's dedication to collaborating closely with partners. Collective defense, a principle where an attack on one ally is deemed an attack on all, is a core aspect of this strategy. The Pentagon's statement pointed to the possibility of Hegseth urging allies to share a greater security burden, particularly in light of China's assertive actions and North Korea's ongoing pursuit of advanced nuclear capabilities.

South Korea marks the final destination of Hegseth's multi-nation tour. Although the Pentagon did not disclose specific travel dates, Seoul's defense ministry confirmed that Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and Hegseth will convene for the annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in Seoul on Nov. 4. The discussions will cover a range of issues, including policy coordination on North Korea, combined defense posture, and extended deterrence.

During the SCM session, Hegseth is expected to "applaud Seoul's willingness to step up on defense spending and assume greater responsibility for the alliance's deterrence and defense," as per the Pentagon's statement. The secretary plans to reinforce these themes throughout his journey.

In Hawaii, Hegseth's first stop, he will meet with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command leaders to assess warfighters' readiness. In Japan, he will focus on strengthening the bilateral alliance in response to regional threats. In Malaysia, Hegseth intends to participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-Plus) to advance regional security cooperation. In Vietnam, the agenda includes deepening the bilateral defense relationship, particularly in defense trade and information sharing.