The Women, Peace & Security program was signed into law by Trump and had received backing from numerous Republican leaders.
About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea, but the White House is considering changes to that military footprint.
Women already must pass gender-neutral physical fitness requirements for combat posts, but Hegseth contends the standards for women are lower.
The confirmation came after recovery teams pulled the soldiers' M88 Hercules armored vehicle from a swamp Sunday night.
