The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) is taking priority of defending South Korea and it will also participate in more multinational military exercises in the Asia-Pacific region, going beyond its duties to defend the Korean Peninsula.
In a press briefing at Yongsan Garrison in Seoul on April 20, Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson, the commander of the Eighth U.S. Army (EUSA), said there will be no change of the number of U.S. forces here as agreed on by Seoul and Washington. Johnson stressed that the USFK is always taking top priority of defending South Korea.
He also said that about 500 members of the 2nd U.S. Infantry Division had joined joint military exercise in the Philippines earlier this month. In addition, he claimed the USFK has secured transport so troops can immediately return to South Korea from overseas missions in case of emergencies on the peninsula.
"We can strengthen combat capabilities as well as readiness posture if the USFK take part in overseas drills and that will benefit South Korea's security," Johnson said. "Maintaining readiness posture to prepare for actual battles is the reason for the presence of the USFK here."
Following deployment of latest-model M1 tanks, the USFK plans to introduce newest armored combat vehicles this summer, he said.
In response to questions related to the wartime operational control transfer from U.S. to South Korea, he said that even after the transition reinforcement capabilities of U.S. forces to the peninsula in emergencies will be maintained as it is. The commander said he will not make security vacuum while moving U.S. bases from Seoul to Pyeongtaek.
In a separate briefing, an officer under the EUSA said that currently EUSA is experiencing its structure system change from Army Service Component Command to Field Army. The EUSA is focus on combat mission while most of administrative and logistics duties will be transferred to the U.S. Army Pacific.
The officer also said that EUSA is in process of altering work system of U.S. soldiers to serve in South Korea for three years accompanying their families rather than to serve only one year without bringing their families.
"With this change of work system, safe working environment will be created by improving living condition of U.S. soldiers," the officer said. "It is going to strengthen readiness posture as well."
RoK MoD
