What North Korea stands to lose if US Forces Korea expands mission to China



Analysis What North Korea stands to lose if US Forces Korea expands mission to China Despite Seoul's fears of abandonment, a focus on Taiwan contingencies could entrench US military presence on peninsula Jeongmin Kim \| Joon Ha Park May 1, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A collage of U.S. Forces Korea soldier and ROK soldier with a map of the Taiwan Strait \| Images: U.S. Forces Korea via Facebook, Wikimedia Commons via Wkthomson, edited by NK Pro For over 70 years, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has been at the center of joint efforts to deter North Korean aggression, with nearly 30,000 American troops now stationed in the South to defend against any attack. But as the strategic landscape changes and the Trump administration remakes U.S. priorities, the prospect is growing that the military command established after the Korean War could soon expand its mission beyond the peninsula — and directly assert itself into the escalating great power competition between Washington and Beijing. For over 70 years, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has been at the center of joint efforts to deter North Korean aggression, with nearly 30,000 American troops now stationed in the South to defend against any attack. But as the strategic landscape changes and the Trump administration remakes U.S. priorities, the prospect is growing that the military command established after the Korean War could soon expand its mission beyond the peninsula — and directly assert itself into the escalating great power competition between Washington and Beijing. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

What North Korea stands to lose if US Forces Korea expands mission to China

Despite Seoul's fears of abandonment, a focus on Taiwan contingencies could entrench US military presence on peninsula

Jeongmin Kim | Joon Ha Park May 1, 2025

What North Korea stands to lose if US Forces Korea expands mission to China

A collage of U.S. Forces Korea soldier and ROK soldier with a map of the Taiwan Strait | Images: U.S. Forces Korea via Facebook, Wikimedia Commons via Wkthomson, edited by NK Pro

For over 70 years, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has been at the center of joint efforts to deter North Korean aggression, with nearly 30,000 American troops now stationed in the South to defend against any attack.

But as the strategic landscape changes and the Trump administration remakes U.S. priorities, the prospect is growing that the military command established after the Korean War could soon expand its mission beyond the peninsula — and directly assert itself into the escalating great power competition between Washington and Beijing.

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What North Korea stands to lose if US Forces Korea expands mission to China

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