The Pentagon will shift responsibility for deterring North Korea mainly to South Korea
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The Pentagon said in an informal national defense strategy document titled “Restoring peace with the power of America’s new golden age” on Friday, that it plans to shift much of the burden of deterring North Korea to South Korea.
The US will take a “limited” role in keeping North Korea on track, the Pentagon said in a document obtained by Fox News Digital.
“With its powerful military, supported by high defense spending, a robust defense industry, and mandatory conscription, South Korea is able to take primary responsibility for deterring North Korea with critical but limited US support,” the document said.
It added, “South Korea also has the desire to do so, as it faces a direct and clear threat from North Korea. This shift in the balance of responsibility is in line with America’s interest in reviewing the position of the US military on the Korean Peninsula. In this way, we can ensure a strong and highly beneficial alliance relationship that better aligns with America’s security priorities, thereby establishing conditions for lasting peace.”
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The Pentagon said in an informal national defense strategy document titled “Restoring peace with the power of America’s new golden age” on Friday that it plans to shift much of the burden of deterring North Korea to South Korea. (Vladimir Smirnov/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
The new policy plan regarding North Korea followed similar strategies in other parts of the world, with the broad text adding that the department “will no longer be distracted by interventions, endless wars, regime changes, and nation-building. Instead, we will put the practical interests of our people first.”
The document clarified that the policy does not mean “isolation,” but rather “a strategic approach to the threats our nation faces.”
In addition, it added, “We will insist on our allies and partners to do their part and give them help when they step up.”
The Pentagon on Friday released an unspecified national security strategy document titled “Restore peace with the power of America’s new golden age.” (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)
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The document said under a section titled “Increase Burden Sharing with US Allies and Partners” that it plans to deter China “through force, not war,” and as “the Department prioritizes national defense and deterring China, other threats will continue, and our allies will be critical to addressing them all. Our allies will do so, not on our own accord.”
The Pentagon document said it would prioritize threats from China while emphasizing burden-sharing with partners in other parts of the world. (Sheng Jiapeng/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
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On Russia, it said the country “will remain a persistent but manageable threat to NATO’s eastern members for the foreseeable future,” and on Iran, it said President Donald Trump has made it clear that Iran will not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
This year, South Korea increased its military budget by 7.5% while approximately 28,500 US troops are stationed there to protect North Korea.
