U.S. takes control of Korea's armies

Deputy US Defense Secretary for Policy Elbridge Colby is in Seoul for talks regarding a new US defense strategy that calls for reducing American military support in deterring North Korea, Bloomberg reports. The strategy pushes South Korea into a leading deterrence role, with the US providing more limited but critically important support, asserting that Seoul is capable of taking primary responsibility. South Korea's Ministry of National Defense stated it will closely coordinate with Washington to ensure continued US military support for regional stability in Korea, and Seoul pledged to increase defense spending from 2.3% to 3.5% of GDP as soon as possible. Under current agreements, if war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula, the US would assume command of the armed forces of both countries.

Context

The US-South Korea Mutual Defense Treaty, signed in 1953, establishes long-term military cooperation and a joint defense arrangement.