A U.S. official noted on the 29th that a 'repositioning' of U.S. forces in South Korea is necessary, focusing on the deterrence of China in East Asia.
A senior official from the Ministry of National Defense conducted a media briefing aboard a flight to Singapore to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue on that day. He mentioned, 'Deterrence against China is our priority.'
He further explained, 'Cooperation with the South Korean government is essential in modernizing the South Korea-U.S. alliance and adjusting the posture of U.S. forces on the Korean Peninsula to reflect the realities of the security environment in the region.'
He also added, 'I hope we can collaborate with the new South Korean government to ensure that the South Korea-U.S. alliance maintains strategic sustainability and that the combined posture on the Korean Peninsula can contribute to deterrence against both China and North Korea.'