John Kirby, White House national security communications adviser, said of Hegseth's remarks on North Korea's status as a nuclear power: "We've not made such a recognition. I can't speak to what the incoming team will—how they'll characterize it. We've not gone so far as to make that recognition."

Trump defense secretary nominee Pete Hesgeth ruffled feathers in S. Korea with his written statement to the Senate panel overseeing his confirmation

U.S. Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth has described North Korea as a "nuclear power" that poses a threat to global stability, while highlighting the need for U.S. allies to increase "burden sharing" in pursuit of "healthy" partnerships.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Pentagon chief, referred to North Korea as a “nuclear power” in a written statement for Tuesday’s confirmation hearing – shattering a longstanding taboo by granting such a designation to Kim Jong-un’s regime and drawing considerable attention in Seoul.

In “The War on Warriors,” published last year, the nominee to head the Pentagon lashes out at “social justice saboteurs” and other fellow Americans.

Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth will publicly face senators on Tuesday for ... from the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine and the expanding alliance between Russia and North Korea to the growing competition with China. Look for Democrats to ...

South Korea on Wednesday said Pyongyang could “never be recognised” as a nuclear power, after US defence secretary nominee Pete Hegseth ... in November. Hegseth, who faces allegations of misconduct and sexual assault, said North Korea’s expanded ...

Sen. Mitch McConnell was one of three Republicans to vote against Pete Hegseth, who was narrowly confirmed as President Donald Trump's defense secretary.

Pete Hegseth seems destined to become America's 29th secretary of defense. Despite the hyperbole and exaggerations of Hegseth's fitness to serve, he is arguably the least qualified person to hold that office.

Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky voted against President Donald Trump's nominee to be secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth.

Pete Hegseth made the comment in his written response ... Hegseth's comment as showing possible U.S. recognition of North Korea as a nuclear weapons state, a status granted only to five countries ...

North Korea pulled out in 2003 to pursue nuclear weapons. Pete Hegseth, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be secretary of defense, testifies before a Senate Committee on Armed ...