The United States wants to assign primary responsibility for “containing“ the DPRK to the Republic of Korea.
This is stated in the new US National Defense Strategy, published by the Pentagon on January 23.
“South Korea, with its powerful army, high levels of defense spending, developed defense industry and mandatory military service, is capable of assuming primary responsibility for deterring North Korea – with key but limited support from the United States“, the document notes.
“South Korea also has the will to do so“, the US Department of Defense believes.
According to the department “the change in the balance of responsibility is consistent with America's interests in rebalancing US forces on the Korean Peninsula“.
This, according to the Pentagon, will help build “a stronger and more mutually beneficial alliance“ and create “conditions for lasting peace“ on the Korean Peninsula.