U.S. national security adviser for Trump defends THAAD deployment in S. Korea

Michael Flynn, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general who has been designated to serve as the national security adviser for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, said Tuesday (local time) that the deployment of U.S. troops and the planned deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea appropriate in accordance with the level of the alliance and symbolizes Seoul and Washington’s firm ties.

The remark suggests that Trump, who repeatedly mentioned the possibility of the withdrawal of U.S. troops deployed overseas during his election campaign, will maintain the U.S. Forces Korea and continue to pursue the THAAD deployment in South Korea.

During a meeting with a South Korean delegation to the inaugural meeting of the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group in Washington, Flynn assessed that the South Korea-U.S. alliance is stronger and more solid than ever before and the bilateral partnership is well-established. He vowed to make joint efforts with South Korea to develop the bilateral ties to an even stronger alliance. "Joint efforts" indicates Trump's call for having South Korea pay more for keeping the U.S. troops on the Korean Peninsula. Some observers interpret the expression‎ as a suggestion that Washington will raise the defense cost issue at an appropriate timing.

Flynn also cited North Korea's nuclear and missile threats as grave threats to the peace and stability of Northeast Asia and the rest of the world, calling for closer collaboration with Seoul on how best to deal with such issues. He expressed hope to communicate closely with South Korea, one of the key U.S. allies.

Seung-Heon Lee ddr@donga.com