Trump National Security Advisor Nominee Says "US Troops' Stationing in Han Is Unnecessary"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Elbridge Colby, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development, argued that the primary mission of the United States Forces Korea (USFK) should shift to deterring China, and for this purpose, there is no need to station U.S. troops in South Korea. He is a figure mentioned as a potential National Security Advisor candidate in the White House if former President Donald Trump wins the U.S. presidential election.

In a recent interview with Yonhap News Agency, former Deputy Assistant Secretary Colby stated, "We should no longer hold U.S. troops hostage on the Korean Peninsula to solve the North Korean issue, which is not America's main problem," and added, "South Korea must bear the primary and overwhelming responsibility for defending itself against North Korea." He argued that this is an unavoidable choice given the reality of China and North Korea's military build-up and the relative weakening of U.S. forces.

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary Colby has maintained that the greatest security threat to the United States is China, and that the U.S. should focus on Asia while minimizing involvement in other regions.

Regarding former President Trump's recent suggestion in a TIME interview that U.S. troops could be withdrawn from South Korea if Seoul does not increase defense spending, he said, "Since USFK is primarily stationed to defend South Korea, it is important that South Korea contributes fairly to maintaining U.S. forces on the peninsula."

Colby said, "If I had the authority to decide, I would not keep U.S. troops in South Korea," adding, "Having a large portion of U.S. forces in South Korea places them too close not only to North Korea but also to China, making them vulnerable to a massive preemptive strike."

He also pointed out that the Biden administration's extended deterrence measures are insufficient because the U.S. would not sacrifice its own cities to protect South Korea from a North Korean nuclear attack. He further stated, "While I much prefer the alternative where South Korea does not pursue nuclear weapons when considering all options, I do not rule out South Korea's nuclear armament."