US Vows To Keep Strong, Forward-Deployed Force In S. Korea

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) TOKYO, March 18 (KUNA) -- The US Forces Korea (USFK) has pledged to maintain a "strong, forward-deployed force" in South Korea in a bid to ensure its security commitment in the face of North Korea's military threats, the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported Tuesday.
"Our focus remains on maintaining a strong, forward-deployed force that ensures deterrence and regional stability," Maj. Gen. William D. "Hank" Taylor, director of operations for UN Command, Combined Forces Command and USFK, made the remarks to Yonhap, as the allies are conducting their annual springtime Freedom Shield exercise.
This year's joint military drills came amid concerns that US President Donald Trump may demand South Korea further shoulder the cost of the upkeep of the 28,500-strong USFK or even reduce US troops or withdraw reconsider the role of US troops in South Korea.
Taylor stressed that the ongoing joint drills are a demonstration of the US' "ironclad" commitment, saying, "It demonstrates our ironclad commitment to the alliance and regional stability. Our focus remains on deterrence, maintaining readiness and ensuring the defense of both our homelands."
On March 10, the allies launched this year's Freedom Shield exercise -- the first major combined military exercise held since the beginning of Trump's second term -- for an 11-day run.
Against such a backdrop, the US general rejected North Korea's claims that the annual exercise is a "nuclear war" exercise that aggravates the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. (end)
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