Pentagon Policy Shifts: South Korea Takes Lead in North Korea Deterrence
A Pentagon policy document released on Friday indicates a "more limited" role for the United States in deterring North Korea, with South Korea expected to assume primary responsibility. This move is detailed in the National Defense Strategy, which guides Pentagon policies.
Rationale for Change
The document states that:
"South Korea is capable of taking primary responsibility for deterring North Korea with critical but more limited US support."
This adjustment aligns with American interests in updating the US force posture on the Korean Peninsula. In recent years, some US officials have expressed a desire for US forces in South Korea to operate more flexibly outside the peninsula to address broader threats, such as defending Taiwan and counteracting China's military expansion.
South Korean Context and Response
South Korea currently hosts approximately 28,500 US troops as part of a combined defense against North Korea. The nation has increased its defense budget by 7.5% this year. While South Korea has historically resisted changes to the role of US troops, it has worked to enhance its defense capabilities over the past two decades, aiming to take on wartime command of combined US-South Korean forces. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has advocated for greater defense autonomy.
In response to the document, South Korea's defense ministry affirmed on Saturday that:
US Forces in Korea remain central to the alliance and continue to deter North Korean aggression.
Shifting Stance on Denuclearization
Notably, the Pentagon document omits any mention of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, marking the second major strategy paper to do so. The Biden administration had previously stated "complete and verifiable denuclearization" as a goal in 2022.
This omission suggests a potential shift towards managing North Korea's nuclear arsenal rather than seeking its elimination.
Broader Strategic Priorities
The wide-ranging document prioritizes defending the US homeland. In the Indo-Pacific region, the Pentagon's focus is on ensuring China cannot dominate the US or its allies. The document states that a "decent peace" with China, acceptable to both nations, is possible, without explicitly naming Taiwan. China considers democratically governed Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to control the island.