U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth answers questions from reporters in the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., Monday (local time). EPA-Yonhap

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly exploring making a visit to South Korea next month, following the conclusion of a joint military exercise in mid-March, according to defense sources Wednesday.

According to the sources, Hegseth has reportedly conveyed his interest in visiting South Korea after the annual Freedom Shield military drills next month.

A Seoul official said, "We are currently in the stage of reviewing possibilities at the working level, and no official schedule discussions have taken place."

If realized, it would be the first Cabinet-level visit from Washington under the second Donald Trump administration to South Korea.

In the case of a visit, Hegseth could potentially visit one of South Korea's major shipyards, including HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. and Hanwha Ocean Co.

In a phone conversation with President Yoon Suk Yeol last November, then President-elect Trump acknowledged South Korea's advanced warship and shipbuilding capabilities, and emphasized the need for close cooperation in the sector.

Officials at the shipyards said they have no knowledge of any potential visit by the U.S. defense secretary. (Yonhap)