Incoming USFK commander’s grasp of Korea’s security crisis

Gen. Vincent Brooks, the incoming commander of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), told a U.S. Senate hearing on Tuesday that if his country removes its “nuclear umbrella” protection of South Korea, Seoul would be prompted to consider developing its own nuclear armament in the face of the threats from North Korea. He was not supporting Seoul’s nuclear armament. Rather, he stressed the importance of the U.S. “nuclear umbrella” strategy for the prevention of nuclear proliferation and Seoul’s defense. The remarks are interpreted as a rebuttal to U.S. Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump’s argument in media interviews that South Korea and Japan should arm themselves with nuclear weapons.

Regarding Trump’s claim that South Korea was “free-riding” on defense, Brooks said that Seoul is “paying about 50 percent of our personnel cost of being there," which amounts to some 880 million U.S. dollars last year, and that the share goes up according to inflation every year. Asked about the proposed deployment of the High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in South Korea, the general clearly expressed his position that it would greatly contribute to building an additional layer of protection against North Korean threats. He also criticized China for not putting sufficient pressure on North Korea to the extent of jeopardizing the North Korean regime’s existence.

It is reassuring to see that Brooks, as the commander of the U.S. Army Pacific, answered any questions with alliance with logics based on the stern reality and reaffirmed the value of the Seoul-Washington and answered any question with confidence. Many South Koreans, who are accustomed to confirmation hearings focused on digging up dirt, would be envious of the U.S. lawmakers focusing on verifying the competency of a nominee, who showed thorough grasp about his job.

Brooks said that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un seems to be “more risk-tolerant, arrogant, and impulsive than his father” and thus is prone to make a misjudgment. Still, the general noted that Kim appears to have a total control over his country, leaving no indication of a regime collapse, expressing concern that no one else in the North is capable of keeping Kim in check and prevent him from making provocations.

Considering the incoming USFK commander’s understanding of the stern security reality of the Korean Peninsula, we are too care-free and easy-going despite the North’s weapons of mass destruction. In spite of signs of the North’s imminent and additional nuclear test, politicians are too preoccupied with their power struggles to discuss the security crisis. Brooks said the USFK will be fully prepared with South Koreans to fight even tonight. We would like to hear that from our own security officials or politicians.

허문명논설위원 angelhuh@donga.com