00:00The United States is signaling it may give its forces in South Korea more room to respond to threats beyond the Korean peninsula.
00:10During a visit to Seoul, U.S. War Secretary Pete Hexert said Washington remains focused on deterring nuclear-armed North Korea.
00:19But he noted the region is changing and challenges from China and others could influence future deployments.
00:26Hexert said both sides are discussing defense costs, military cooperation and whether to broaden the role of the roughly 28,500 American troops stationed in South Korea.
00:40South Korea has long resisted any shift in the U.S. military's role beyond the peninsula, focusing instead on strengthening its own capabilities.
00:48Hexert also said U.S. President Donald Trump backed South Korea's plan to develop nuclear-powered submarines, describing it as part of a push to give allies strong defensive capabilities.
01:01South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn-gyu-bak stressed that the country remains committed to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons.
01:10Hexert's visit comes as Washington works to reinforce its alliances across Asia amid China's military rise and North Korea's ongoing missile tests.
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