South China Morning Post – Asia

South Korea Grapples with ‘Clear Reality’ of US Forces’ Shifting Role on Peninsula

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned that Seoul cannot stop the United States from relocating military assets, after reports that THAAD air‑defence batteries were moved from the peninsula to the Middle East. Analysts say the redeployment underscores a shift in the US Forces Korea (USFK) mission from a sole focus on North Korean deterrence toward broader strategic flexibility. Lee’s comments, made during a cabinet meeting, highlight growing public scrutiny of the alliance and the limits of South Korean influence over US decisions. The episode raises questions about the future balance of security responsibilities on the Korean Peninsula.