Seoul: The Pentagon announced on Thursday that South Korea, along with other Asian allies, is expected to adhere to the "global standard" of allocating 5 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) towards defense spending. This proposal aligns with the call made by U.S. President Donald Trump for European allies.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell emphasized the importance of this defense spending standard following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's statement at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Hegseth highlighted that all global allies, including those in Asia, should adopt this new defense spending benchmark.

Currently, South Korea's defense budget is approximately 61.2 trillion won (US$44.6 billion), equating to 2.32 percent of its GDP, as reported by Seoul's defense ministry. Parnell, responding to a query from Yonhap News Agency, reiterated that Europe's commitment to 5 percent GDP defense spending should serve as a model for Asian allies in light of the significant military advancements of China and the ongoing nuclear and missile developments in North Korea.

Parnell further explained that matching Europe's defense spending pace is in the best interest of Asia-Pacific allies for their own security and for achieving a more balanced and equitable alliance burden-sharing with the United States. He stated, "Common sense dictates that this approach aligns with President Trump's strategy."

The advocacy for increased defense spending by Indo-Pacific allies was also a focal point during the Shangri-La Dialogue, a defense forum held in Singapore last month. Hegseth underscored the necessity for Asian allies to increase their defense budgets, especially given the formidable threats posed by North Korea and the strategic priorities of the Trump administration to counter an assertive China.

The suggestion for heightened defense expenditures has sparked speculation that Trump may push for South Korea to increase its defense budget or its financial contribution to the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in the country, reflecting his administration's focus on strengthening deterrence against China.