▲ This file photo, taken Jan. 26, 2026, shows U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson walking out of a hotel after a luncheon meeting in Seoul. (Yonhap)

USFK commander-Korea security

USFK commander says his focus is 'strictly on capabilities over numbers' amid troop cut speculation

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, April 21 (Yonhap) -- The top U.S. general in South Korea said Tuesday his focus is "strictly on capabilities over numbers," amid lingering speculation that Washington could consider a troop drawdown on the Korean Peninsula in a posture adjustment.

U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson made the remarks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington, as South Korea and the United States are working to "modernize" the bilateral alliance to better respond to the shifting regional security environment.

"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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