US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has praised South Korea's plans to raise its military spending, saying the Asian ally will take a larger role in defending itself from North Korean aggressions as the allies must brace for regional contingencies.

Modernising the decades-long alliance between the US and South Korea is a key issue between the US and South Korea, as the US apparently wants South Korea to increase its conventional defence capabilities so Washington can focus more on China.

After annual security talks with South Korean Defenxe Minister Ahn Gyu-back in Seoul, Hegseth told reporters on Tuesday he was "greatly encouraged" by Seoul's commitment to increase defence spending and make greater investments in South Korean capabilities.

He said the two agreed the investments would bol

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