The U.S. Plans to Reduce Its Deterrence Against North Korea, with South Korea Assuming Primary Defense Responsibilities

Five Pentagon Files: US Plans to Reduce Deterrence against North Korea, with South Korea Taking the Lead

According to the U.S. Department of Defense's "Defense Strategy" document released on Friday, January 23, the United States expects to play a "more limited" role in containing North Korea's military threats, with South Korea taking the main responsibility for defense. The report states that this move could lead to a reduction in U.S. military forces on the Korean Peninsula.

In this 25-page policy document, the Pentagon stated that South Korea is now capable of assuming the main responsibility for deterring North Korea, with the United States providing "critical but limited support." The report said that this shift in responsibility aligns with the interests of the United States updating its military deployment on the Korean Peninsula.

Reuters reported that about 28,500 U.S. troops are currently stationed in South Korea to jointly defend against North Korea's military threats. In recent years, the U.S. has aimed to enhance the mobility of its troops in South Korea, so they can respond to security threats outside the peninsula, such as defending Taiwan and curbing China's growing military influence. Although South Korea has been cautious about the idea of adjusting the role of U.S. troops, it has continuously strengthened its own defense capabilities over the past 20 years. South Korea's defense budget increased by 7.5% this year, with about 450,000 active-duty personnel, and it is advancing long-term goals to be able to command U.S.-South Korean joint forces during wartime.

A U.S. official said that the top policy official at the Pentagon, Colby, plans to visit Asia next week and is expected to visit South Korea.

The comprehensive strategic document from the Pentagon also emphasized that the primary task of U.S. defense policy is to protect homeland security. In the Indo-Pacific region, the focus is on preventing China from dominating the United States and its allies. The document states that the United States does not seek regime change or other "existential conflicts," but rather hopes to achieve a "decent peace" under conditions acceptable to both the U.S. and China.

This strategy document from the Pentagon is based on the National Security Strategy issued by President Trump last year, which pointed out that the United States will reestablish its dominance in the Western Hemisphere, strengthen military power in the Indo-Pacific region, and may reassess relations with Europe. The National Security Strategy stated that Europe is facing a "civilization erasure" and may one day lose its status as a reliable ally of the United States, causing strong reactions from Europe.

Compared to the more cautious approach towards European allies in this Pentagon strategy document, it states that the United States will continue to participate in European affairs, but prioritizes protecting the United States itself and curbing China. Russia is defined as a "sustained but manageable threat" to the eastern flank of NATO. The document also mentions that the United States will ensure stable military and commercial access in key regions, including Greenland.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1855194528063498/

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