South Korea uneasy as US weighs moving air defences to Middle East

Reports that Washington could redirect some US military assets from South Korea to the Middle East have stirred unease in Seoul, reviving concerns that a crisis elsewhere could thin deterrence on the Korean peninsula.Analysts said a redeployment of missile-defence systems could leave South Korea feeling vulnerable to North Korean “adventurism” and signal Washington’s “shifting priorities and lack of seriousness” towards its Indo-Pacific allies.Citing a South Korean government official, the DongA Ilbo reported on Thursday that Washington and Seoul were in consultations regarding US munitions requirements and the possible redeployment of US Forces Korea (USFK) assets to the Middle East.The ongoing war between the US and Iran has led to an increased demand for munitions such as strike and interceptor missiles, raising the possibility that key USFK capabilities could be redirected.Expressing caution, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defence said USFK’s mission was to maintain a strong combined defence posture with South Korean forces and contribute to peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in the region.Colonel Jang Do-young (left), public affairs director of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Colonel Ryan Donald, public affairs director of the United States Forces Korea, pose for a photo during a Freedom Shield press briefing on February 25. Photo: EPAMinistry spokeswoman Chung Bin-na said at a regular briefing on Thursday that Seoul and Washington “remain in close communication” regarding the operational employment of USFK forces.