Pentagon gears toward lighter U.S. deterrence role against North Korea with Seoul taking lead
The Pentagon’s National Defense Strategy envisions a more limited U.S. deterrence role toward North Korea, shifting primary responsibility to South Korea, which hosts about 28,500 U.S. troops. The plan keeps homeland defense as a priority while allowing the U.S. to operate flexibly beyond the peninsula if needed to counter broader threats, including China and potential Taiwan contingencies.