National security adviser Shin Won-sik said South Korea is no longer the sole beneficiary of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, pledging to defend the country’s core interests as a partner state that contributes to regional and global security and prosperity.

In a keynote speech at the 2024 Global Dialogue on Korean Peninsula Unification on Tuesday, Shin said Seoul will protect the nation’s freedom and peace in close coordination with the incoming Donald Trump administration in Washington.

Shin’s remarks came amid growing concern that the Trump government may demand a drastic hike in Seoul’s share of the costs of stationing U.S. troops on the Korean Peninsula.

The top security aide vowed to firmly adhere to the goal of completely denuclearizing North Korea, saying the allies’ integrated deterrence is the most realistic way to counter the threats.

Shin also criticized Pyongyang’s military cooperation with Moscow, mentioning the comprehensive strategic partnership treaty and calling it the regime’s “worst gamble.”