S. Korea Opposes US Air Defense Shift to Mideast

(MENAFN) South Korea has expressed opposition to the redeployment of U.S. air defense assets from its territory to the Middle East, though officials acknowledged they lack the authority to prevent the move, according to reports.

With the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes on American facilities entering its 12th day, media outlets have reported that Gulf nations’ air defense systems were running “dangerously low” on interceptors.

During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Lee Jae-myung addressed reports suggesting that some U.S. weaponry stationed at Osan Air Base—a key U.S. Air Force installation—may have been transferred to bases in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Media sources noted increased U.S. military transport activity at the base over the past week.

“We have expressed opposition to USFK [US Forces Korea] transferring some air defense weapons according to its own military needs, but it is also the reality that we cannot fully enforce our position,” Lee said, adding that the move would not cause a “serious setback” to Seoul’s deterrence capability.

South Korea hosts a significant U.S. military presence under a long-standing security agreement designed to deter nuclear-armed North Korea, with around 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in the country alongside advanced air defense systems, including Patriot interceptors. Reports also indicate that Japan, another U.S. ally with major American bases, has redeployed two guided-missile destroyers to the Arabian Sea to support U.S.-Israeli operations against Iran.

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