US Defense Secretary Says Transfer of Some THAAD Units from South Korea Was "Pre-Considered"

Hegseth Attends Senate Hearing

Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense, claimed on May 12 (local time) that the transfer of some elements of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, which had been deployed in South Korea after the Iran war, to the Middle East was “pre-considered.”

On this day, Secretary Hegseth attended a hearing on the fiscal year 2027 budget held by the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, where he responded to a question from Democratic Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii.

Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense, Department of Defense

Senator Schatz asked, “Some of the THAAD and Patriot systems deployed in South Korea have been transferred to the Middle East. This was after the war had ended. Munitions from all over the world were moved to defend U.S. military bases in the region after the war. It was done in haste. Can you confirm that all of this was anticipated and part of the plan?”

Previously, J.B. Brunson, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, appeared at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 21 and confirmed that the THAAD system remains in South Korea. However, he also stated, “We are sending munitions and preparing for movement,” suggesting that THAAD interceptor missiles are being redeployed to the Middle East.

In response, Secretary Hegseth said, “I can reconfirm that all of this was considered in advance,” adding, “Every aspect was thoroughly reviewed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and civilian leadership and corresponds to the pursuit of very clear objectives.”

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