US Joint Chiefs Deputy Nominee: "Capabilities Over Troop Numbers"... Focus on USFK Realignment

Similar Remarks by USFK Commander...
"Assessing Capabilities and Developing Recommendations"

Christopher Mahoney, the nominee for Deputy Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. Military, stated, "I want to emphasize that we assess the posture of the U.S. military not by the number of troops, but by the capabilities necessary to advance our national security interests."

Nominee Christopher Mahoney appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. Military. Photo by Getty Images Yonhap News

On September 11 (local time), in a written response submitted to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Mahoney was asked how a significant reduction of U.S. forces in South Korea or Japan would affect the Indo-Pacific security environment. He replied, "I do not wish to speculate on hypothetical scenarios," but added, "I will support the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense in assessing U.S. capabilities in South Korea and Japan and developing recommendations."

Previously, Xavier Brunson, Commander of United States Forces Korea and Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, expressed a similar view during a press briefing on August 8, stating, "I believe changes are needed within U.S. Forces Korea. What matters is not the number, but the capability. The key is whether we can maintain the ability to act on the Korean Peninsula." With both Commander Brunson and nominee Mahoney emphasizing that military capability takes precedence over troop numbers, analysts suggest that the realignment of U.S. Forces Korea aligns with the basic policy of the Trump administration. Attention is now focused on whether the forthcoming new U.S. National Defense Strategy (NDS) will reflect changes to the current size of U.S. Forces Korea, which stands at approximately 28,500 personnel.

Additionally, Mahoney noted, "China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are pursuing an unprecedented level of cooperation," and added, "The strengthening of their collaboration is concerning for U.S. national security." He identified three major challenges arising from this enhanced cooperation: first, the possibility that if the United States faces tension or conflict with one of these countries, another might intervene; second, the risk that coordinated actions by these countries could undermine key assumptions of U.S. contingency planning and joint force structure; and third, even if they do not form a joint military alliance or anti-U.S. coalition, the sharing of intelligence and technology among them could weaken the U.S. military's superiority.

Mahoney emphasized, "These challenges do not necessarily suggest simultaneous conflicts in Asia and Europe, but they must be viewed in light of current adversary movements," adding, "Accordingly, we must assess our force requirements." He further stated, "Burden-sharing, in response to the increased threats from North Korea and other adversaries, is a way to enhance our defensive capabilities."

Regarding the U.S.-South Korea alliance, Mahoney said, "The alliance is a key pillar for peace, stability, and prosperity not only on the Korean Peninsula but beyond," and added, "The stationing of U.S. forces in South Korea provides a strong deterrent against aggression on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia." He also stated, "To strengthen the combined conventional deterrence posture against all threats in the region, including North Korea, the United States continues to request that allies, including South Korea, increase their defense budgets and enhance their own military capabilities."

On the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) between South Korea and the United States, he said, "South Korea must meet the conditions related to independent operational capability," and added, "Before the transfer, a security environment must be established in which South Korea is suitable to assume command authority of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command."

In his opening remarks, Mahoney stated, "We must recognize that the security environment is more dynamic and unstable now than at any time in recent memory," and pointed out, "While we maintain and strengthen the defense of the U.S. homeland, China and Russia are challenging international norms and attempting to undermine U.S. interests both at home and abroad." He emphasized the need to maintain and evolve readiness in response, highlighting the importance of continuous military modernization, rapid large-scale innovation, aligning capabilities and force posture with allies and partner nations, and investing in advanced capabilities.