alt Hacker News> I think that this is the particular threat that America sees from its own ally and there will likely be some efforts to curb or limit South Korea
I disagree with that. The Korean defense manufacturers like Hanwha work hard to also build production capacity within the US and share or license IP from American firms (eg. Boramae and GE Aviation plus Lockheed Martin).
SK's industry will continue to coexist and thrive with a US partnership similar to how the Israeli defense industry built linkages with the American ecosystem (eg. Elbit).
It also helps that Korean defense companies being part of larger chaebols like Hanwha are able to link defense production contracts with other industrial deals (eg. battery and renewable tech in Hanwha's case).
I'm extrapolating here but Gulf states are very much questioning the US-Israel shield and will likely use Korean weapons acquisition to demand greater security guarantees.
I absolutely think Korea can pose a major threat to the petrodollar arrangement if left unchecked so its in the interest of US to see they not lose anymore trust with gulf states.
It's not beyond the pale to think Korea can offer significant security guarantees but I will concede that is more of a post-unification type of scenario.
But the opportunity is opening and if Korea doesn't take it, Japan might or both countries might offer what gulf states look for : being honorable and without any territorial ambitions and for both countries it might be the ultimate dream to have sovereignty over their own energy resources without petrodollar breathing down their neck since WW2