Seoul: The Pentagon chief’s recent address at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore notably excluded significant mentions of South Korea, raising concerns over the potential impacts of South Korea’s extended absence of a fully elected leader on the bilateral alliance. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s speech, which traditionally emphasizes defense cooperation with South Korea and trilateral efforts with Japan, instead focused on engagements with other Indo-Pacific allies amid tensions with North Korea and China.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Hegseth’s speech was delivered as South Korea prepares for a presidential election following the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol in April. While the speech highlighted security partnerships with Japan, the Philippines, Australia, Thailand, and India, South Korea was largely absent, only mentioned in context with a joint defense project involving New Zealand.

The North Korean military threat received minimal attention during the address, with Hegseth concentrating on the threats posed by China and the need for allies to bolster defense spending. This omission follows a Wall Street Journal report about a possible reduction of U.S. troops in South Korea, a claim the Pentagon has denied but which has fueled ongoing speculation.

A senior U.S. defense official noted the importance of working with the incoming South Korean government to modernize the alliance and adjust the U.S. military presence on the Korean Peninsula, highlighting the strategic shift towards countering China.

South Korea was also absent from bilateral and multilateral discussions on the sidelines of the forum, with Deputy Defense Minister for Policy Cho Chang-rae attending instead of acting Defense Minister Kim Sun-ho. A senior U.S. defense official attributed the absence to scheduling conflicts, expressing optimism about future collaboration with South Korea’s new government.

Despite limited official presence, South Korean officials engaged diplomatically behind the scenes, maintaining connections with foreign partners, according to a diplomatic source.

Concerns about the alliance’s strength amid Seoul’s political uncertainty had previously emerged when Hegseth omitted South Korea from his first Indo-Pacific trip, which included Japan and the Philippines. However, regular defense talks between Seoul and Washington have continued, with recent meetings in Washington agreeing on further cooperation to achieve shared security objectives.

Observers remain hopeful for a full resumption of high-level discussions between South Korea and the U.S. once the new government is established next month.