Pete Hegseth urged allies to move away from dependence on the U.S. and embrace shared responsibility during the Asia Security Conference [1].
The call signals a potential shift in American foreign policy, pressing regional partners to increase their own defense contributions to maintain stability in Asia [1, 2].
Speaking at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore, Hegseth delivered a speech lasting about 30 minutes [1]. He said that allies should not rely on the U.S., and that the U.S. seeks alliance relationships based on collective responsibility rather than dependence [1].
While YTN identified Hegseth as the U.S. Defense Secretary [1], official government records indicate Lloyd Austin holds that position. This discrepancy highlights the high-level nature of the messaging delivered at the conference regardless of the specific title used in reporting [1].
Parallel to the U.S. address, South Korean Defense Minister 안규백 met with Japanese Defense Minister 고이즈미 신지로 [1, 2]. The two ministers discussed bilateral military cooperation, reflecting a push to advance defense ties between Seoul, and Tokyo [1, 2].
The meeting between the South Korean and Japanese officials occurs as the U.S. continues to press its partners to share the burden of regional security [1, 2]. The coordination between the two East Asian neighbors suggests a strategic response to the demand for increased regional self-reliance.
“Allies should not rely on the U.S.”
The insistence on 'shared responsibility' suggests a transition toward a more transactional security architecture in the Indo-Pacific. By urging South Korea and Japan to reduce their reliance on the U.S. military umbrella, Washington is encouraging these nations to formalize their own bilateral security frameworks, which may accelerate the integration of South Korean and Japanese defense strategies.
