Washington: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Fox News Channel host Pete Hegseth as the new defense secretary, referring to him as a "warrior for the troops and for the country." Hegseth, an Army veteran with experience in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan, will face significant security challenges, including North Korea's military threats, Russia's war in Ukraine, and Middle Eastern instability, pending Senate confirmation. According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump expressed confidence in Hegseth's abilities, stating, "Pete has spent his entire life as a Warrior for the Troops, and for the Country." Trump emphasized Hegseth's alignment with the "America First" philosophy, asserting that with Hegseth in charge, "America's enemies are on notice -- Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down." Hegseth's advocacy for veterans was highlighted by Trump, who noted his leadership in two veterans advocacy organizations, describing him as a fierce advocate for military personnel . Trump also praised Hegseth as a champion of the "Peace through Strength" policy. South Korea is particularly attentive to this nomination due to uncertainties regarding the continuation of joint deterrence efforts against North Korea's threats. Under the Biden administration, significant progress was made in reinforcing America's extended deterrence commitment to defend South Korea. However, concerns arise about whether Trump will sustain the deterrence policies, including the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) and trilateral security cooperation with Japan. Hegseth, who has been a Fox News host for eight years, is also an accomplished author. His recent book, "The War on Warriors," discusses the need for a renewed focus on meritocracy and excellence within the military. He holds degrees from Princeton University and Harvard University.