Politics · South Korea · 1 hr ago
South Korean defense chief to attend ASEAN meeting and seek Hegseth talks
South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul will attend a regional defense meeting in Cebu, the Philippines, on Oct.
29.
It will be his first multilateral security meeting since taking office last month.
A first meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is being arranged, but the schedule has not been confirmed.
The ASEAN-Plus meeting brings together defense officials from 11 ASEAN countries and eight partner countries, including South Korea, the United States, China and Japan.
They will assess regional security and discuss ways to support peace and stability.
Kang plans to explain South Korea’s efforts to support peace on the Korean Peninsula and seek other participants’ interest and support, amid heightened tensions near the border with North Korea.
He also plans talks with regional counterparts on defense and arms-industry cooperation.
South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul will attend the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Cebu, the Philippines, on October 29.
Kang and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are seeking to arrange their first face-to-face meeting on the sidelines.
The meeting will discuss the regional security environment and defence cooperation for peace and stability, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said.
Kang plans to explain the South Korean government’s efforts to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and seek participants’ support.
He is also expected to meet other regional defence ministers to discuss defence exchanges and cooperation, including in the defence industry.
- Who
- South Korean Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are seeking to arrange a meeting.
- What
- Kang will attend the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus and plans to hold talks with regional counterparts.
- When
- The meeting is scheduled for October 29, 2026. Kang was due to depart on October 27.
- Where
- Cebu, the Philippines.
- Why
- The meeting will address regional security and defence cooperation. Kang plans to explain South Korea’s efforts to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kang took office as South Korea’s defense minister.
The US Department of War officially announced Hegseth’s attendance at the meeting.
South Korea’s Defense Ministry announced Kang’s attendance, and he was due to depart that day.
The 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus is scheduled to take place in Cebu.
- Meeting
- 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus
- Location
- Cebu, the Philippines
- Scheduled date
- October 29, 2026
- South Korean minister
- Kang Shin-chul
- US defense secretary
- Pete Hegseth
What people are saying
I am working to coordinate that way.