South Korea Says Deterrence Against North Korea Unaffected Despite Possible USFK Asset Relocation

The Aryavarth Express Seoul: South Korea on Wednesday said its deterrence capability against North Korea would remain strong even if some military assets of the United States Forces Korea (USFK) are relocated from the Korean Peninsula amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

According to Yonhap News Agency, a senior official at Cheong Wa Dae, the executive office of the South Korean president, said the country has sufficient military capability to maintain a strong defence posture regardless of potential redeployment of USFK assets.

“Given our level of military capability, defence spending, defence industry capacity and the high morale of our troops, there is no problem with deterrence against North Korea even if some USFK assets are relocated overseas,” the official said.

The remarks come amid reports that parts of USFK ’s air defence systems, including elements of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, may have been moved from South Korea as tensions continue in West Asia.

However, the official declined to confirm or deny these reports, stating that it would be inappropriate for the government to comment on operational military matters between Seoul and United States.

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The official also emphasised that South Korea and the United States remain in close coordination to maintain a strong combined defence posture and ensure stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the wider region.

Meanwhile, Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, said Beijing is willing to play a “constructive role” in easing tensions and restoring peace in the region through communication with all involved parties.

Tensions in West Asia escalated following the reported killing of Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, in joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on February 28. Iran later carried out retaliatory strikes targeting US and Israeli assets in several Gulf countries and Israel, disrupting key waterways and affecting global energy markets and economic stability.