The Digester

Parts of the U.S. THAAD missile defence system and other assets are reportedly being moved from South Korea to the Middle East for the Iran conflict, prompting reassurance from Seoul and fresh concerns about regional deterrence and U.S. commitments.

U.S. media reported the Pentagon is moving components of the THAAD missile defense system and other hardware from South Korea to support operations in the Middle East, citing two officials.
South Korean president Lee Jae Myung said the redeployment would not seriously hinder deterrence and pointed to the country’s high defence spending to reassure the public.
South Korean foreign minister Cho Hyun said Seoul and U.S. forces are discussing possible redeployment of Patriot batteries, while unconfirmed reports say some missile batteries could go to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
United States Forces Korea declined to comment on specific movements of military assets for operational security reasons.
Analysts warn the shift could prompt North Korea to test allied defences and has raised doubts in Seoul and Tokyo about the steadiness of U.S. commitments in East Asia.

U.S. redeploys parts of THAAD from South Korea to Middle East, Seoul unsettled

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