New U.S. defense strategy highlights Seoul's 'leading role' in peninsula security: ministry

▲ This Dec. 16, 2025, file photo shows defense ministry spokesperson Chung Binna. (Yonhap)

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New U.S. defense strategy highlights Seoul's 'leading role' in peninsula security: ministry

SEOUL, Jan. 26 (Yonhap) -- The defense ministry said Monday the new U.S. defense strategy placed an emphasis on South Korea's own capabilities to play a more "leading role" in the security of the Korean Peninsula.

The ministry's spokesperson made the remarks following the release of the Pentagon's National Defense Strategy (NDS) that said South Korea is capable of taking "primary" responsibility to deter North Korea with "critical, but more limited" U.S. support.

"Our government takes note of how the U.S. government assessed our capabilities and determination to play a more leading role in the security of the Korean Peninsula in the 2026 NDS," ministry spokesperson Chung Binna said in a regular press briefing.

"While maintaining a robust combined defense posture, our military will closely cooperate with the United States so that the South Korea-U.S. alliance will develop into a future-oriented, comprehensive strategic alliance," Chung said.

The 2026 NDS is in line with U.S. President Donald Trump's America First policy that calls for allies to do more for their own defense.

On Saturday, President Lee Jae Myung said achieving a self-reliant national defense is the "most basic of basics," adding that such "a robust self-reliant defense and peace on the Korean Peninsula will enable sustainable economic growth."

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