U.S. MQ-9 Drones Deployed at the Border, South Korea Expresses Strong Discontent

A MQ-9 drone squadron has arrived at the border, and the U.S. Forces in South Korea have begun to target China. Lee Jae-myung is furious and has lodged two consecutive protests!

The U.S. Forces in South Korea recently publicly confirmed that they have officially deployed a MQ-9 "Reaper" drone unit at the Gunsan Air Base in Jeollabuk-do, near the North-South Korean border. This deployment not only targets traditional threats from North Korea, but U.S. officials have explicitly stated that its mission scope has expanded to "deter China's objectives."

This newly established 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron marks the first time the U.S. has permanently deployed this type of drone in South Korea.

U.S. Army Secretary Daniel M. Criscollo made a public statement on October 1 in Seoul's suburbs, stating that the mission of the U.S. Forces in South Korea is not limited to targeting North Korea, but will also address the "threats" posed by China.

This statement marks the official shift in the strategic goals of the U.S. Forces in South Korea. According to Kyodo News, the U.S. Forces in South Korea are trying to expand their mission scope from defending against North Korea to "deter China."

At the same time, the U.S. military also announced the deployment of a new defense system at the Osan Air Base near Seoul to counter drones and cruise missiles.

These deployments are seen as a comprehensive military adjustment of the missions of the U.S. Forces in South Korea.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has rarely expressed strong dissatisfaction twice — in August he publicly stated to the media that he "found it difficult to agree" with the change in the role of the U.S. Forces in South Korea, and in September he posted a long article on a social media platform emphasizing that "a strong path for independent national defense must be opened," and advocated that "the country should not be involved in external military conflicts."

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1845382500166668/

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