South Korea President says he cannot stop US forces from redeploying weapons to Middle East

SEOUL, March 10 (Reuters) – South Korea cannot prevent U.S. forces in Korea from redeploying some weapons, President Lee Jae Myung said on Tuesday, following reports that some U.S. Patriot missile defense systems were being sent to the conflict in the Middle East.

“There appear to have been discussions recently about US Forces in Korea sending some weapons, such as artillery batteries and air defense weapons, out of the country,” Lee told the cabinet meeting, noting that although Seoul had voiced its opposition, it was not in a position to make the request.

Lee also stated that the removal of some US weapons from the country “does not impede the deterrence strategy against North Korea”, noting that South Korea’s defense spending and conventional capabilities far exceed its North Korean equivalent.

The U.S. and South Korean militaries are discussing the possible redeployment of some U.S. Patriot missile defense systems based in South Korea for use in the conflict in the Middle East, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said on Friday.

The batteries were shipped from Osan Air Base and will likely be redeployed to US military bases in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, according to local media reports, but South Korean officials have not confirmed these reports.

US and Israeli forces have been striking strategic targets inside Iran for more than a week in a campaign that Trump says aims to cripple Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capabilities.

South Korea hosts a large U.S. military presence in the unified defense against nuclear-armed North Korea, with about 28,500 troops and surface-to-air defense systems including Patriot missile interceptors.

(Reporting by Heejin Kim and Kyu-seok Shim Editing by Ed Davies)