US-South Korea military relations, which focused on North Korea, now have a China-sized gap

A US commander said South Korea faces threats beyond Pyongyang, hinting at China, highlighting the gap between Seoul and Washington’s view of US forces

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Two US Air Force F-22 fighter jets (front) fly with two South Korean Air Force F-35A fighter jets during a joint air drill in South Korea in May. Photo: South Korean Defence Ministry/AFP

Published: 8:00am, 2 Aug 2024

The gap in how Seoul and Washington perceive the role of deployed US forces became more evident this week with an American commander’s suggestion that threats faced by South Korea extended beyond Pyongyang, hinting at the spectre of China.

General Paul LaCamera, commander of US Forces Korea (USFK), on Wednesday stressed the 1953 mutual defence treaty between the allies did not specify a single adversary, adding that his troops were prepared to defend South Korea against “all threats”.

His comments come amid increasing narratives in Washington about South Korea’s role in addressing not only threats from North Korea but also other global challenges.

There are also suggestions that the roughly 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea should contribute to deterring China.

“It’s not just DPRK (North Korea) that threatens the Republic of Korea (South Korea),” LaCamera was quoted by local South Korean media as saying at an online forum in Washington. He was responding to a question on the growing calls in Washington for US forces deployed there to shift their focus to potential Chinese threats.

Article III of the treaty states that each party declares that an armed attack “in the Pacific area on either of the parties” would be dangerous to its own peace and safety, and each side should “act to meet the common danger”.