The US has reportedly started moving parts of a THAAD missile-defense system from South Korea to the Middle East for its war against Iran. US media has reported that the Pentagon is moving parts of a THAAD system to the Middle East, citing two officials. The reported move has triggered doubts over Donald Trump's security commitment to South Korea.
South Korea's liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, sought to reassure the public that the country was able to deter threats from North Korea, even if the US redeployed weapons and other military assets to the Middle East. ' South Korea's foreign minister, Cho Hyun, said on Friday that US and South Korean militaries were discussing the possible redeployment of some US Patriot missile defense systems to the Middle East. South Korean media carried unconfirmed reports that some missile batteries were likely to be redeployed to US bases in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
If asked whether that would seriously hinder our deterrence strategy against North Korea, I can say with certainty that it would not.
An official from United States Forces Korea told the Yonhap news agency that for operational security reasons they do not comment on the movement of specific military capabilities or assets. The weakening of US defenses in South Korea has raised concerns that the war with Iran signals a downgrading in Trump's commitment to North-east Asia. It is unclear what specific parts of the THAAD system are being moved, and how many.
The exact timeline for the redeployment of US military assets from South Korea to the Middle East has not been disclosed.
For operational security reasons we do not comment on the movement of specific military capabilities or assets.