USFK Commander Gen. Brunson hints at possible "strategic flexibility"

The commander of U.S. Forces Korea stressed the importance of defense skill over troop size when asked to define the term "alliance modernization".

Remarks to this end were shared with the South Korean press corps at a U.S. military base here.

Our defense correspondent Kim Bo-kyoung was there.

Capabilities over size.

That is what General Xavier Brunson, the commander of the United States Forces Korea emphasized when asked to define "alliance modernization."

This follows concerns in Seoul over a possible reduction of U.S. troops on the Korean peninsula for "strategic flexibility."

The general did not directly mention any troop reduction, but he did highlight the need for Seoul to acknowledge strategic flexibility as well, citing the example of Patriot batteries that have been temporarily moved to the Middle East but that are expected to return with upgrades.

"Whenever things of strategic flexibility happen — I think that the onus is on this command, read me, to ensure that our allies understand what I'm doing. But there's nothing that says that we can't move to where we need to be in support of allied nations and our own objectives."

The general underlined that the ROK-U.S. alliance is not just dealing with North Korea, which he called the closest alligator to the boat, but also with Russia and China which both have strong links with Pyongyang.

"What's being asked of Korea is to be stronger against DPRK—that we might have the flexibility as we modernize our alliance so that we could go do other things."

Against such a backdrop, the issue of transferring wartime operational control the OPCON transfer was brought up as well.

General Brunson said rushing things would hurt readiness, and that conditions need to be bilaterally agreed upon.

"Now, if we choose to take shortcuts, that could endanger the readiness of the force here on the Peninsula. So I think that our approach has to be one that is, again, bilaterally managed, bilaterally considered, and bilaterally assessed in order to get to that point."

The allies are slated to go ahead with the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield starting next week.

Some outdoor exercises have been adjusted, but the general says he is comfortable with the decision and as the allies will still exercise fully.

Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.