The escalating conflict in the Middle East has fueled fears in Seoul that the United States may shift military assets from the Korean Peninsula, opening up potential gaps in allies’ deterrence measures against North Korea.

Amid mounting speculation, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed Seoul’s “opposition” to a potential relocation of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) weapons systems on Tuesday. However, he emphasized that transfers to the Middle East will not “hinder our deterrence strategy against North Korea.”

Lee’s comments come after Foreign Minister Cho Hyun’s confirmation last week that the