US Forces Korea to redeploy military assets to Middle East

USFK is possibly redeploying THAAD to the Middle East to support the US armed forces engaged in Operation ‘Epic Fury'. (US Missile Defense Agency)

South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung confirmed the partial redeployment of US Forces Korea (USFK) missile batteries and air-defence assets to the Middle East at the 9th State Council briefing in Seoul on 10 March.

Lee said, “From our government's perspective, we expect the role of USFK to fully contribute to stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula, and we believe that it has done so to date.”

He added, “However, depending on how the situation develops, while we have expressed opposition to the removal of certain air-defence assets based on the United States' own military requirements, it is also an undeniable reality that we are not in a position to have our views fully prevail.”

According to Lee, the redeployment does not disrupt South Korea's deterrence against North Korea. “One thing that needs to be considered is whether this development causes any serious disruption to our deterrence strategy against North Korea. To that question, I can say unequivocally that it does not,” Lee said.

“When compared objectively, the gap between South and North Korea is enormous in real terms. Of course, North Korea's nuclear weapons constitute a unique factor, but when it comes to conventional combat capabilities and overall military power, it is clear that South Korea's advantage is overwhelming and beyond comparison,” he added.

Although Lee did not disclose the military equipment involved in the redeployment, local media footage showed the movement of the USFK's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system through Seoul.

The redeployment would almost certainly be aimed at supporting US forces engaged in Operation ‘Epic Fury', the ongoing US military operation targeting Iran.