USFK Invests $11 Billion in Strengthening Its Military Capabilities

The United States has decided to invest $11 billion over the next three years to strengthen its U.S. forces capabilities in South Korea, the Defense Ministry and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) announced on Sunday.

According to the Defense Ministry and the USFK, USFK Commander Leon J. LaPorte met with South Korean Defense Minister Cho Young-kil on May 29 to explain its plans. At the meeting, the USFK commander said the plans are part of U.S. investment in security on the Korean Peninsula and stability in this region and that they show the U.S. commitment to the ROK-US alliance.

According to the plans, the U.S. will station the Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) in South Korea and replace the units of PAC-2 missiles deployed at U.S. bases with upgraded PAC-3 missiles in order to respond to North Korea`s ballistic missiles.

In particular, the first unit of SBCT will arrive this summer for a topographical survey and military training before the team arrives here.

And to improve military intelligence against North Korea, the U.S. will introduce unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV); replace old attack helicopters with the newest ones; and convert conventional bombs of the 7th U.S. Air Force in South Korea into guided smart bombs with introduction of Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) kits.

A high-ranking official of the Defense Ministry said, “In addition to these plans, many other options are on the table. These plans are to improve the ROK-US joint forces’ capabilities in accordance with the agreement to modernize the military alliance reached during the summit meeting between the two nations.”

Sang-Ho Yun ysh1005@donga.com