The US 'Strategic Flexibility'... Could It Become a Pressure Card for Defense Costs?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] As the United States significantly increases expeditionary training under the banner of the U.S. Forces Korea's (USFK) 'strategic flexibility,' there are prospects that it could pressure South Korea by using the reduction of USFK as a bargaining chip. It is reported that U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a reduction of 9,500 troops from the 34,500 U.S. forces stationed in Germany, and the reduction of USFK could be used as leverage in defense cost-sharing negotiations.

According to the military on the 8th, the Apache unit of the 2nd Infantry Division stationed at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, is likely to be mobilized soon. The Apache unit consists of the 'AH-64E Apache Guardian' and the unmanned reconnaissance drone 'RQ-7B Shadow.' This Apache unit participated in the Cobra training held in Thailand from February 25 to March 6. Recently, it conducted training with a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Pacific, raising speculation that it might be a pre-deployment exercise for the Gulf region. The USFK also sent one battalion of Apache helicopters to Iraq in 2008.

At the end of the year, it will be time to replace the 2nd Armored Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division, which arrived in Korea this February. The 2nd Armored Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division is nicknamed the 'Dagger Brigade' and is the eighth rotational unit deployed to Korea. The U.S. Eighth Army and the 2nd Infantry Division are implementing rotational deployments of units as part of strategic flexibility to enhance responsiveness in the Asia-Pacific region. However, the selection of the replacement unit scheduled for the end of the year may be delayed. Due to prolonged defense cost-sharing negotiations between South Korea and the U.S., combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, the rotational deployment could be postponed citing these reasons.

Last year, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) stipulated that the USFK must have at least 28,500 troops. However, there are exceptions. The NDAA states that the U.S. Department of Defense may reduce forces if it aligns with U.S. national interests, does not weaken the alliance's security, and if there is consultation with the allied country regarding the reduction. This means that if defense cost-sharing negotiations between South Korea and the U.S. do not proceed smoothly, a reduction of USFK is quite possible.

However, military experts predict that an immediate reduction of USFK is difficult because the U.S. needs to check China and North Korea. They foresee that the U.S. might strengthen overseas training of USFK under the pretext of strategic flexibility, creating gaps and using them as pressure tactics. From a strategic perspective, the selection of replacement troops for USFK could be delayed or deployment postponed.

Shin Jong-woo, Secretary-General of the Korea Defense and Security Forum (KODEF), said, "It is difficult to withdraw USFK immediately as a measure to check North Korea and China, but changes in force posture could occur due to various factors such as the U.S. presidential election, defense cost-sharing negotiations, and COVID-19."

Some argue that the U.S. forces stationed in Germany cannot be simply compared with USFK because the former has less strategic urgency compared to the critical mission of USFK in responding to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.