Ministry of National Defense: "Position on Deployment of USFK to Taiwan Is Inappropriate"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The Ministry of National Defense stated that it is "not appropriate to take a position" on the possibility of the US Forces Korea being deployed in the event of a contingency in Taiwan.

Moon Hong-sik, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, responded to a question about former Commander Abrams' remarks at a regular briefing on the 27th, saying, "We maintain a solid and close cooperation system and communication channels between South Korea and the US to prevent any concerns among our people from occurring."

Deputy Spokesperson Moon said it is not appropriate to comment on the remarks of a former commander who is now a civilian, but mentioned, "Paul LaCamera, the current commander of US Forces Korea, has stated that the top priority of US Forces Korea is to carry out the mission of deterring and responding to North Korean aggression." He added, "US Forces Korea maintains a strong combined defense posture with our armed forces," and "there is a close system between South Korea and the US regarding the operation of US Forces Korea's capabilities."

Earlier, former US Forces Korea Commander Robert Abrams mentioned the possibility of US Forces Korea being deployed in the event of a Taiwan contingency, prompting the Ministry of National Defense to emphasize that deterring North Korea is the top priority mission of US Forces Korea. On the same day, Abrams responded "possible" to a question from Radio Free Asia (RFA) asking, "Is there a possibility that US Forces Korea would be deployed if China invades Taiwan?"

He also emphasized, "It is up to the US to decide what forces to utilize if China invades Taiwan," adding, "Even if some US Forces Korea troops are deployed to the Taiwan situation, the ROK-US alliance has several options to maintain deterrence against North Korea."

Meanwhile, regarding this matter, Bruce Bennett, a senior researcher at the US RAND Corporation, projected the possibility of the US Air Force units under US Forces Korea being deployed if China invades Taiwan.

Researcher Bennett told RFA, "US Air Force personnel at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, and Osan Air Base in South Korea are closer to Taiwan than any Air Force in the US mainland," adding, "US Air Force units at Osan or Gunsan could be sent to Taiwan."

Since Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party, who emphasizes Taiwan's independence, took office in 2016, relations between China and Taiwan have deteriorated. China has openly mentioned the possibility of forcibly annexing Taiwan, while the US has strongly demonstrated its commitment to protecting Taiwan by continuously conducting "freedom of navigation" operations through the Taiwan Strait using its naval vessels. The cross-strait conflict has escalated into a US-China confrontation.