South Korea is reportedly considering a revitalised security agreement with the United States as geopolitical pressures mount across Northeast Asia, officials and analysts cited by the nation’s Yonhap News Agency say.

In recent weeks, Seoul has held internal discussions about expanding joint defence commitments, including revisiting missile defence cooperation and rotational stationing of American forces. While no formal agreement has yet been announced, sources close to the negotiations state that no options have been disregarded.

A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity to Yonhap, said that South Korea was mindful of the diplomatic balance it must maintain, given its economic interdependence with neighbouring powers.

Domestic politics in South Korea, could, however, complicate any new pact. Opposition parties have urged caution, warning that deeper security ties could entangle Seoul in conflicts not of its choosing – a constant fear on the southern half of the archipelago with North Korea and China as neighbours.

Further complicating matters to this end according to Yonhap is any potential regional reaction. In Beijing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated objections to what it describes as “Cold War mentality,” warning that expanded US–ROK cooperation would work to destablise local stability. Tokyo, meanwhile has expressed cautious support, seeing benefits in coordinated responses to maritime and missile threats.

Washington, for its part, has signalled openness to negotiation although a US defence official cited as speaking privately declined to comment on whether new US assets might be deployed to the Korean Peninsula.