[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] U.S. Pressure... Will the Reduction of USFK Become a Reality?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] On the 14th (local time), the United States indirectly pressured the reduction of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) at the 52nd Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) between South Korea and the U.S. Instead of blindly providing "complementary forces" for the defense of the Korean Peninsula, the U.S. expressed its intention to establish a list of such forces and deployment periods linked to South Korea's weapon acquisition plans.

In the joint statement released after the 52nd SCM held in Washington D.C. on the 14th (local time), the U.S. side stated, "While pledging to provide complementary capabilities, we noted the need to first understand South Korea's acquisition plans when deciding on specific required capabilities (list) and deployment periods."

The complementary forces mentioned by the U.S. refer to troops and tanks rotationally deployed to USFK, unmanned reconnaissance drones, artillery equipment, as well as reconnaissance capabilities, long-range strike capabilities, and defensive missiles that the South Korean military has not yet acquired. This content was not included in last year's joint statement and is interpreted as pressure to increase defense cost-sharing contributions. It implies that South Korea should play a greater role in the defense of the Korean Peninsula, minimizing complementary forces to reduce the U.S.'s own cost burden for peninsula defense while demanding more responsibility from the alliance.

Additionally, the absence of the phrase "maintaining the current level of USFK" in this joint statement is noteworthy. Some interpret this as a consideration of reducing USFK troop numbers (currently 28,500). There have been ongoing speculations that if South Korea's military capabilities improve, the size of USFK might be reduced. In response, a Ministry of National Defense official said, "There was no such (reduction) discussion at all," adding, "This is a matter of defense commitments rather than fixation on troop numbers. There is no need for exaggerated interpretations."

In particular, the U.S. emphasized that before transferring wartime operational control to the South Korean military, mutually agreed conditions must be fully met, and also stressed the stable stationing of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) base in Seongju, Gyeongbuk, and the guarantee of training conditions for USFK.

The joint statement explained, "The ministers of both countries agreed to continue joint research to optimize complementary and sustainment capabilities linked to the development of South Korean capabilities." During the joint research process, any deficiencies in South Korean capabilities may be identified, and implicit pressure to purchase U.S.-made weapons to compensate for these gaps is also expected.

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