USFK Commander Advocates for More Frequent Combined Drills with South Korea

In a recent dialogue session in Seoul, General Xavier Brunson, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), advocated for conducting more frequent combined military drills with South Korea throughout the year. He highlighted the necessity of enhancing readiness to address evolving security threats.

Brunson's remarks came after a meeting with General Jin Yong-sung, Chairman of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, where they discussed plans for upcoming spring drills. He stated, "We can't hinge our readiness on two exercises a year. It has got to be training throughout the entirety of the year."

The USFK currently conducts two major exercises annually, the Freedom Shield in spring and the Ulchi Freedom Shield in summer, primarily focused on North Korean contingencies. However, Brunson emphasized that the changing security environment necessitates more frequent training.

He also touched on the importance of industrial cooperation, proposing a concept for a regional sustainment hub that would allow for the maintenance and repair of U.S. military equipment in South Korea, rather than sending it back to the U.S. This initiative aims to enhance operational endurance and readiness in the region.