Washington: South Korea is positioned to assume the primary responsibility for deterring threats from North Korea, supported by essential but more limited assistance from the United States, as outlined in a recent U.S. defense strategy. This assessment aligns with President Donald Trump's America First policy, which emphasizes that allies should assume a greater role in their own defense.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the National Defense Strategy (NDS) released by the Pentagon also highlights a shift in the balance of responsibility, reflecting America's interest in modernizing its force posture in Korea. This shift aims to strengthen the Seoul-Washington alliance, focusing more on deterring rising threats from China, identified as the top strategic rival.
Despite characterizing North Korea as a direct military threat, the latest NDS refrains from mentioning the goal of denuclearizing North Korea. This omission aligns with the National Security Strategy (NSS) released by the White House, which also does not address denuclearization, even though Trump has previously committed to the complete denuclearization of the North.
The document emphasizes South Korea's capability to take primary responsibility for deterrence, supported by its powerful military, high defense spending, robust defense industry, and mandatory conscription. It states that South Korea has the resolve to do so, given the direct and clear threat posed by North Korea.
By shifting security responsibilities, the allies aim to ensure a stronger and more mutually beneficial alliance aligned with America's defense priorities. The NDS release coincides with speculation that Washington may seek to alter the mission, operational scope, and makeup of the U.S. Forces Korea, which has traditionally focused on North Korean threats.
The document acknowledges the growing threats from North Korea while reiterating the Trump administration's calls for increased burden-sharing among allies. It notes that North Korea poses a direct military threat to South Korea and Japan, both U.S. treaty allies. Although North Korea's conventional forces are largely aged or poorly maintained, South Korea must remain vigilant against possible invasion threats.
North Korea's missile forces are capable of striking targets in South Korea and Japan with both conventional and nuclear weapons, posing an increasing threat to the U.S. homeland. The document stresses the need for burden-sharing and suggests incentives for allies taking greater responsibility for their defense.
The Pentagon emphasizes that burden-sharing is essential for the strategy, citing President Trump's leadership in encouraging allies to shoulder their fair share of defense costs. The Department of Defense aims to make it easier for allies to take on a greater share of the collective defense burden, with close collaboration on force and operational planning.
Following Washington's calls for increased defense spending, South Korea has committed to spending 3.5 percent of its GDP on defense, earning praise from senior U.S. officials as a "model" ally. The NDS release comes ahead of a reported trip by Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby to South Korea and Japan, aimed at raising burden-sharing with allies and deterring China threats in the Indo-Pacific. The NDS outlines the Pentagon's defense objectives and policy direction in line with the NSS.