South Korea Defends High Defense Spending Against US 5% GDP Call

South Korea's defense ministry has rejected the Trump administration's call for allies to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, emphasizing that South Korea already maintains one of the highest defense spending ratios among U.S. partners at approximately 2.3% of its GDP. The ministry highlighted that defense budgets have been continuously increased to address serious security threats from North Korea, including nuclear and missile provocations. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated the new standard for allied defense spending during Senate hearings, aligning with President Trump's push for higher contributions from allies in Asia and Europe. South Korea's defense budget reached about 61.2 trillion won ($44.6 billion) in 2025, reflecting a 3.1% increase from the previous year, as Seoul continues efforts to maintain regional peace and stability. Despite these increases, concerns persist in South Korea about potential adjustments to the U.S. Forces Korea presence and the implications of the Trump administration's burden-sharing initiatives. Seoul remains committed to sustaining necessary defense capabilities without meeting the proposed 5% GDP spending threshold.