U.S. Defense Secretary Candidate "North Korea Is a Nuclear Power"... also suggests renegotiation of contributions

Trump's 2nd Cabinet Secretary Nominee U.S. Senate confirmation hearing
National Defense Candidate Hegseth Controversy Over Qualifications, including Sexual Violence
Trump's second term suggests possible renegotiation of defense contributions

[Anchor]
During his confirmation hearing, a candidate for U.S. Secretary of Defense said North Korea is a "nuclear state," raising criticism that the second Trump administration could try to change its North Korea policy.

Hegseth also hinted at the possibility of an increase in the size of U.S. troops in South Korea and share of the burden with allies, saying he would re-examine the U.S. military posture around the world.

I'm reporter Hong Sang-hee in Washington.

[Reporter]
Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth as the first runner in Trump's second Cabinet confirmation hearing.

As a former Fox TV host, Democratic lawmakers have been criticized for controversies such as sexual violence, drinking issues, and women's negative perceptions of military service.

[Jack Reid / U.S. Senator: Mr. Hegseth. I don't think you deserve to meet the overwhelming demands of the Secretary of Defense. It caused problems such as racial and sexist remarks against soldiers, alcohol abuse, sexual assault, and sexual harassment.]

[Kirsten Gillibrand / U.S. Senator | There are hundreds of women currently serving in infantry units, but you disparage them. She said we needed a mother, not a woman in the military, especially in the combat unit.]

Hegseth said the allegations were personal attacks by the media and that they were intended to attack Trump as well as him.

[Pete Hegseth / U.S. Secretary of Defense Candidate: I'm not a perfect person, as I'm known, but I was saved by God's grace and Jesus and Jenny (wife). I look forward to leading Pentagon on behalf of the fighters.

There was a lot of controversy between the ruling and opposition parties, but it was the response submitted in advance by candidate Hegseth that drew attention.

If he becomes a minister, Hegseth says he will re-examine U.S. military posture deployed around the world, including in the Indo-Pacific region, and strengthen sharing of defense burdens with the alliance.

This suggests that there is a possibility of renegotiating defense contributions with South Korea after the launch of the second Trump term.

He also called North Korea a nuclear power and stressed the need to improve its missile system to defend the U.S. mainland, saying that North Korea's nuclear weapons are becoming a global threat.

As a candidate for the U.S. defense secretary refers to North Korea as a nuclear power, the possibility of a change in the U.S. policy toward North Korea, which aimed to denuclearize North Korea, is also being carefully raised.

With the inauguration ceremony coming up next week, attention is focusing on what Trump, who mentioned the possibility of talks with Kim Jong-un before and after the presidential election, will do in his North Korea policy.

I'm YTN Hong Sang-hee in Washington.