Lee Jong-seop "Consult with Us if USFK Deploys to Taiwan"

At the National Assembly Audit: "US Proposed Korea-US-Japan Anti-Submarine Training... Attendance at Japan's Fleet Review Decided After Situation Report"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop emphasized on the 4th that the US Forces Korea (USFK) cannot be deployed to Taiwan in the event of an emergency without prior consultation.

On the same day, during the National Assembly National Defense Committee’s audit held at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, Seoul, Minister Lee responded to a question from Justice Party lawmaker Bae Jin-kyo regarding the operation of USFK in the event of an emergency in Taiwan.

Minister Lee explained, "The deployment of USFK forces to the Taiwan Strait issue is fundamentally based on the fact that USFK is here to respond to the North Korean threat," adding, "If USFK were to go (to Taiwan), it would be after consultation with us, and since we understand the concerns of our people, we will take them fully into account during the consultation."

Earlier, General Paul LaCamera, Commander of the United States Forces Korea and United Nations Command, stated in a virtual discussion hosted by the Institute for Corean-American Studies (ICAS) last month that regarding discussions with the Korean military leadership about USFK support in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, "Commanders and leaders prepare contingency plans for all scenarios."

As the controversy grew, Patrick Ryder, spokesperson for the US Department of Defense, said at a regular briefing on the 27th of last month (local time), "Generally, USFK remains committed to maintaining a high level of readiness and a strong combined defense posture to uphold the ROK-US alliance, protect South Korea’s sovereignty, and support US interests in the region." When asked about the US position on whether USFK or South Korea would intervene in the event of an armed conflict between China and Taiwan, he reiterated this general stance.

Regarding this, Minister Lee said, "The statement was an explanation from a military perspective at a fundamental level." When asked by lawmaker Bae whether the South Korean military would also participate if a Chinese invasion of Taiwan became a reality, he replied, "While the ROK-US alliance scope includes the Pacific region, the deployment of our forces overseas requires the consent of the National Assembly." Minister Lee also commented on the recent trilateral anti-submarine warfare exercise involving South Korea, the US, and Japan held on the 30th of last month, saying, "It was proposed by the US," and "The focus was on how to respond efficiently to the North Korean threat. It was not done without considering the will of our people."

Regarding participation in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s international fleet review scheduled for November, he explained, "We are trying to decide while observing the overall improvement in Korea-Japan relations, so no immediate decision has been made."