Defense Ministry Taking “Careful Approach” to Strategic Flexibility of U.S.F.K.

It was reported on February 21 that the Ministry of National Defense has made an internal decision to give careful consideration to its consultations with the U.S. related to the strategic flexibility of the U.S. forces stationed in Korea. The “strategic flexibility” refers to committing the U.S. forces stationed in Korea to other major regions outside of the Korean peninsula, in cases of emergency.

A military official said on February 21, “The Ministry of National Defense is planning to report to the government that considering that the Korea-U.S. alliance is robust, a careful approach is required to address the strategic flexibility of U.S. forces stationed in Korea.”

It was also reported that the Ministry of National Defense’s report to the government includes the provision that if the U.S. adheres to its current strategic flexibility doctrine, the Korean government should use the opportunity to deliberate on the share of expenses of the U.S. forces stationed in Korea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade reached an agreement with the U.S. on the First Security Policy Initiative, which was held at the beginning of the month in Seoul, to promptly deliberate on matters related to the strategic flexibility of the U.S. forces in Korea.

Sang-Ho Yun ysh1005@donga.com