Pentagon to Shift North Korea Deterrence Responsibility to South Korea

The Pentagon unveiled plans Friday to transfer more responsibility for deterring North Korean aggression to South Korea, signaling a strategic realignment of U.S. military priorities in the region. The shift was outlined in an unclassified national defense strategy document titled “Restoring peace through strength for a new golden age of America.”

“With its powerful military, supported by high defense spending, a robust defense industry, and mandatory conscription, South Korea is capable of taking primary responsibility for deterring North Korea with critical but more limited U.S. support,” the document states. South Korea’s direct exposure to North Korean threats and its demonstrated will to defend itself were cited as key factors in this policy adjustment.

The Pentagon emphasized that this realignment aims to create “a stronger and more mutually beneficial alliance relationship that is better aligned with America’s defense priorities, thereby setting conditions for lasting peace.” The document clarifies that the U.S. will maintain involvement but in a more limited capacity.

This policy shift reflects a broader strategic pivot detailed in the document, which states the Department of Defense “will no longer be distracted by interventionism, endless wars, regime change, and nation building. Instead, we will put our people’s practical concrete interests first.” Pentagon officials were careful to note this approach does not represent isolationism but rather a “strategic approach to the threats our nation faces.”

The document specifically emphasizes increased burden-sharing with allies as a central tenet of the new defense strategy. “We will insist our allies and partners do their part and lend them a helping hand when they step up,” it states.

South Korea appears well-positioned to assume this expanded role. The country recently increased its military budget by 7.5%, demonstrating commitment to strengthening its defensive capabilities. Currently, approximately 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed on the Korean Peninsula to support deterrence efforts against North Korea.

The Pentagon’s strategy document outlines a clear hierarchy of security priorities, with homeland defense and deterring China at the top. It describes the approach to China as pursuing deterrence “through strength, not confrontation,” while acknowledging that “other threats will persist, and our allies will be essential to dealing with all of them.”

Regarding other global challenges, the document categorizes Russia as “a persistent but manageable threat to NATO’s eastern members for the foreseeable future.” On Iran, it reiterates President Donald Trump’s position that Iran will not be permitted to obtain nuclear weapons.

This recalibration of defense responsibilities on the Korean Peninsula comes amid ongoing tensions in the region. North Korea has continued its weapons development program, including recent tests of hypersonic missile systems, which have raised concerns among regional security experts.

The policy shift also arrives as the United States reassesses its global military commitments and force posture. By emphasizing greater responsibility for regional allies while maintaining strategic support, the Pentagon appears to be seeking a balance between addressing emerging threats and managing military resources effectively.

Security analysts note that this approach aligns with calls from various U.S. administrations for allies to take greater ownership of their regional security challenges, while allowing the United States to focus more resources on competition with China, which the document identifies as the primary strategic challenge facing America’s defense establishment.