SEOUL ¨C South Korea cannot stop Washington from redeploying some weapons stationed in the country, President Lee Jae Myung said on Tuesday, after reports that U.S. Patriot missile defense systems were being sent to the conflict in the Middle East. Reports on shifting key U.S. military assets ?have sparked concern in Asia about the potential gaps in regional defenses if Washington diverts ships and missiles currently used to deter military ?flexing by ?China and North Korea to other theaters.
¡°It appears that there is controversy recently over U.S. Forces ?in Korea shipping some weapons, such as artillery batteries and air-defense weapons, out of the country,¡± Lee said in a cabinet meeting, noting that while Seoul had expressed opposition, it was not in a position to make demands.
Lee insisted the removal of some U.S. ?weapons from the country ¡°does not hinder deterrence strategy towards North Korea,¡± noting South Korea¡¯s defense spending and conventional capabilities far exceeded those of North Korea.
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