In the latest development on US air defense redeployments from South Korea, President Lee Jae-myung expressed opposition to the transfer of THAAD assets to the Middle East but emphasized it will not undermine deterrence against North Korea.
This follows reports of Patriot missile relocations to Osan Air Base earlier in the week, amid escalating Middle East tensions.
President Lee Jae-myung stated during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on March 10, 2026, that the Korean government opposes the transfer of some U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) air defense weapons to the Middle East. "We have expressed opposition to USFK transferring some air defense weapons according to its own military needs, but it is also the reality that we cannot fully enforce our position," he said. However, he asserted that the transfer will not create serious obstacles to South Korea's deterrence strategy against North Korea.
South Korea's defense spending ranks among the highest globally, estimated at roughly 1.4 times North Korea's GDP. International assessments place Korea's military strength around fifth worldwide, with an enormous conventional power gap over North Korea. "Of course, there is the special factor of North Korea's nuclear weapons, but when it comes to conventional combat power and military capabilities, the difference is overwhelmingly in our favor," the president added.
A Washington Post report confirmed the U.S. Department of Defense is redeploying parts of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system from Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, to the Middle East amid the U.S.-Israel standoff with Iran. Recent U.S. Air Force C-5 and C-17 activity at Osan Air Base supported this.
An anonymous security expert noted the redeployed assets are USFK reserves, leaving operational plans unchanged. "The transfer is unlikely to have a significant impact on deterrence against North Korea," the expert said. Resolving the Middle East situation quickly aligns with South Korea's interests. The president urged preparing for worst-case scenarios with strengthened self-reliant defense.
