▲ This file photo, released by the Associated Press, shows U.S. Army Gen. Xavier Brunson testifying during an Armed Services hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Sept. 17, 2024. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) USFK commander-Korea security

(LEAD) USFK commander says THAAD remains in Korea, 'munitions' await move

(ATTN: CHANGES photo, headline, lead; UPDATES throughout)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, April 21 (Yonhap) -- The United States has not moved its THAAD missile defense system from South Korea to the Middle East to support its military operations against Iran, but "munitions" are awaiting transfer there, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson said Tuesday.

The general made the remarks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington, following speculation that the U.S. military has repositioned or will move USFK assets to the Middle East to back up America's war efforts against the Islamic Republic.

"We've not moved any THAAD systems. So THAAD still remains on the (Korea) peninsula," he said, referring to a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.

"Currently, we are sending munitions forward, and those are sitting right now waiting to move," he added, apparently referring to missile interceptors. He did not elaborate on those munitions.

The Washington Post reported last month that the Pentagon was moving parts of a THAAD system from Korea to the Middle East. The report fueled concerns that the repositioning of the asset could undermine deterrence against advancing North Korean military threats.

U.S. officials had refused to confirm the report, saying that they do not comment on the movement of specific military capabilities or assets.

During the hearing, Brunson underscored the need to ensure that "political expediency does not outpace the conditions" for the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) to South Korea from the U.S.

His renewed emphasis on meeting the conditions for the transfer came as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's administration seeks to achieve the transition within its five-year term that ends in 2030.

Earlier, reports have said that Seoul and Washington are considering presenting a target year for the transition when they hold their annual defense ministerial talks in Washington this fall, and that the year 2028 is seen as a likely target year.

The allies have been working on the conditions-based OPCON transition since they agreed on it in October 2014. The conditions include South Korea's capabilities to lead combined Korea-U.S. forces, its strike and air defense capabilities, and a regional security environment conducive to such a handover.

During the Senate hearing, Brunson reiterated his focus on "capabilities over numbers," amid lingering speculation that Washington could consider a troop drawdown on the Korean Peninsula in a posture adjustment.

"Our forces in Korea are modernizing to address rapidly evolving strategic dilemmas. That's why my focus remains strictly on capabilities over numbers," he said.

"While our presence is a baseline, it's imperative that we maintain focus on the precise capabilities that must be resident on the peninsula to truly understand this shift from capacity to capability," he added.

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