US-South Korea Alliance at a Crossroads Amid North Korean Military Escalation

In the tense political theater of Northeast Asia, the United States faces a rapidly evolving threat from North Korea’s aggressive military advancements. This week, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth landed in Seoul to engage with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, signaling Washington’s commitment to bolster this vital alliance against Pyongyang's relentless provocations. Is the US-South Korea Alliance Ready for the Challenges Ahead? The 57th annual Security Consultative Meeting between these two allies serves as more than a routine diplomatic exercise. It comes at a critical moment when North Korea showcased its latest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-20, underscoring...