Photo : YONHAP News
Anchor: President Lee Jae Myung has acknowledged that the United States could relocate some of its key air defense assets operated by U.S. Forces Korea to the Middle East. He said that the potential pullout will not affect deterrence against the North.
Kim Bum-soo has more.
Report: President Lee Jae Myung says a possible pullout of U.S. air defense assets from South Korea to the Middle East will not seriously damage nuclear deterrence against North Korea.
During a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, Lee addressed mounting concerns over the potential partial deployment of military assets to support operations in the Mideast region.
[Sound bite: President Lee Jae Myung (Korean-English)]
“The government expects that U.S. Forces Korea will fully contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, as it has been doing. As the situation has been unfolding, we have expressed opposition to the withdrawal of some air defense assets from USFK based on military needs, but it is a stark reality that our position cannot be fully insisted.”
The acknowledgement came amid media reports that an extended conflict with Iran might lead to a shortage of interceptors and U.S. Forces Korea might have to send its missiles to the region.
[Sound bite: President Lee Jae Myung (Korean-English)]
“However, one thing to consider is whether this poses a serious obstacle to our deterrence strategy against North Korea. If you ask me, I would say absolutely not.”
Lee expressed confidence in the South Korean military’s readiness, citing statistics suggesting the nation’s defense spending amounts to one-point-four times North Korea’s annual gross national product.
The Washington Post, citing two officials, said the Pentagon is moving parts of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, better known as THAAD, from South Korea to the Middle East.
Designed to intercept short, medium and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their descending phase, THAAD is a key component of the U.S. air defense system alongside Patriot interceptors.
The daily also said the military is drawing from its supply of Patriot missiles in the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere to beef up air defense against Iran.
Recently, there have been frequent takeoffs and landings of large U.S. transport aircraft, including C-5s and C-17s at the Osan Air Base outside of Seoul, possibly indicating the export of American air defense weapons to the Middle East.
Kim Bum-soo, KBS World Radio News.