WASHINGTON: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has mandated the creation of the Pentagon's 2025 National Defense Strategy (NDS), emphasizing increased "burden-sharing" with allies and deterring threats from China in the Indo-Pacific region, a Pentagon official announced on Friday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Sean Parnell, assistant to the secretary for public affairs, revealed that Hegseth instructed Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby to spearhead the NDS development. This decision comes amidst speculation that President Donald Trump might push for an increase in South Korea's financial contribution to the costs of maintaining the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).
Hegseth has set a deadline for the delivery of the final NDS draft by August 31. The NDS serves as a strategic guide for the Pentagon to execute President Trump's "America First and Peace Through Strength" policy. "Consistent with the president's intent, the NDS will prioritize defense of the U.S. homeland, including America's skies and borders, and deterring China in the Indo-Pacific," Parnell stated in an official release.
Simultaneously, the NDS aims to enhance burden-sharing with global allies and partners, thereby fortifying these relationships and establishing conditions for enduring peace, Parnell added. Colby will lead the NDS development process in collaboration with the Joint Staff and other Pentagon divisions.
Experts suggest that the anticipated NDS may concentrate on countering China's evolving threats and urge allies to increase their defense contributions to address additional security challenges from nations like North Korea and Iran. Colby has advocated for re-evaluating the USFK to ensure its relevance in managing China-related situations rather than focusing solely on North Korean threats.
The new strategy could intensify pressure on South Korea to increase its financial contributions for hosting American troops, as Trump has previously argued that the U.S. is not adequately compensated for its security services to the Asian ally.