SEOUL, March 10 (Reuters) – South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said on Tuesday that South Korea could not prevent U.S. troops in South Korea from redeploying some weapons, following reports that some U.S. Patriot missile defense systems were being sent to conflict zones in the Middle East.
“The issue of the recent shipment of some weapons such as artillery and anti-aircraft weapons by the US military in South Korea out of South Korea seems to be controversial,” Lee said at a cabinet meeting, noting that while Seoul had objected, it could not make the request.
Lee also said that removing some U.S. weapons from the country “does not hinder the deterrence strategy against North Korea,” noting that South Korea’s defense spending and conventional capabilities far exceed those of North Korea.
The U.S. and South Korean militaries are discussing the possible redeployment of some U.S. Patriot missile defense systems stationed in South Korea for use in conflicts in the Middle East, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said on Friday.
Local media reported that the batteries had been shipped from Osan Air Base and could be redeployed to U.S. military bases in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, but South Korean authorities have not confirmed those reports.
For more than a week, U.S. and Israeli forces have been striking strategic targets in Iran, a move Trump says is aimed at weakening Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities.
South Korea has a large presence of U.S. military forces in joint defense against nuclear-armed North Korea, with about 28,500 troops and surface-to-air defense systems including Patriot missile interceptors.
(Reporting by Heejin Kim and Kyu-seok Shim; Editing by Ed Davies)
