US Eighth Army chief says troops in South Korea must be ready for missions beyond the peninsula
Lt. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, commander of the US Eighth Army, said troops in South Korea must be ready to deploy elsewhere if ordered, while continuing to deter North Korea. The Korea Times and UPI report that his remarks align with Washington’s push for Seoul to take greater responsibility for deterring the North and for US forces to have more flexibility across the region.
Bottom line — Hilbert outlined readiness, not a deployment plan; he disclosed no specific Taiwan Strait mission or troop numbers.
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Hilbert told the South China Morning Post that the Eighth Army trains to deploy wherever US national command authorities require.
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The Korea Times says the Eighth Army trains daily with South Korean forces and also takes part in multinational Asia-Pacific exercises.
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According to the US National Defense Strategy, Seoul should take primary responsibility for deterring North Korea with critical but more limited US support.
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The strategy also calls for a strong denial defence along the first island chain, which includes Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.
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The Korea Times reports that South Korea hosts about 28,500 US military personnel.
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IISS analyst Lami Kim expects South Korea to provide logistical support in a regional contingency and help replenish US weapons stocks if a conflict is prolonged.
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The Korea Times reports a US Army contract worth up to €224 million ($260 million) for Hanwha K9 howitzer prototypes; it does not establish an operational deployment.