China slams US commander’s ‘dagger’ label for South Korea

China’s embassy in Seoul says USFK commander Xavier Brunson’s ‘hostile and aggressive remarks’ on podcast ‘crossed the line’3-MIN READ3-MIN0ListenPublished: 7:43pm, 28 May 2026China has criticised the commander of the US Forces Korea (USFK) who has described South Korea as a “dagger” and Japan as a “shield” in countering China’s growing regional influence.It comes as Washington seeks to expand the scope of its South Korea-based command for a greater presence across the Indo-Pacific in what Beijing views as an effort to contain it.During a podcast interview hosted by the US Army War College on May 22, USFK Commander Xavier Brunson said that when looking from the east coast of China, South Korea was “the dagger in the heart of Asia”.South Korean president admits Seoul cannot stop US from moving military assetsHe also described Japan as a “shield” or “backstop” for China’s ambitions in the China-sea" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="8346" data-entity-type="location">South China Sea, according to an interview transcript.