Trump's Defence Nominee Signals Shift from North Korea to China Focus for US Forces in Korea

Politics

Trump's Defence Nominee Signals Shift from North Korea to China Focus for US Forces in Korea

3 weeks ago 5 views

News sources:

SCMP

Trump's Defence Nominee Signals Shift from North Korea to China Focus for US Forces in Korea

Credited from: SCMP

The recent choice of **Elbridge Colby** as the next under secretary of defence by **Donald Trump** suggests a strategic shift in the role of **US Forces Korea (USFK)** from North Korea to **China**.
Colby, known for advocating a **denial strategy** against China, believes that South Korea should strengthen its self-defence capabilities against **North Korean** threats, as US focus pivots to countering **China's military rise**.
With **28,500** US troops stationed in South Korea, Colby argues it’s crucial to redirect their roles to address **China** rather than **North Korea**, which he sees as a lesser threat.
Experts believe that this strategic realignment may require South Korea to take on more responsibilities for its own defence, with the potential for discussions around **nuclear armament** stemming from perceived threats by China and North Korea.
The implications of this shift raise questions about the future role of US forces in **South Korea**, particularly if they prioritize **China** over North Korean threats.

For more details, read the full article [here](https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3292710/trump-defence-pick-points-focus-shift-north-korea-china-us-forces-korea).