USFK Commander: South Korea’s Role Expands Beyond Peninsula to Indo-Pacific Security

They're no longer just watching the 38th parallel. The top U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) commander has redefined Seoul's role, urging it to look much further toward the broader Pacific. According to Yonhap News, Gen. Xavier Brunson stated on December 29, 2025, that South Korea is "not simply responding to threats" on the peninsula but is now at the heart of regional power dynamics.

USFK Commander Xavier Brunson on Indo-Pacific Strategy and the First Island Chain

Citing the newly published U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS), Brunson emphasized the decisive importance of Seoul and Tokyo in defending the First Island Chain. This perimeter is critical for maintaining American preeminence in the Pacific against China. He noted that South Korea sits at a crucial crossroads that shapes the balance of power across all of Northeast Asia, moving beyond its traditional focus on North Korea.

Modernizing Alliances Amid North Korea-Russia Ties

Regarding the deepening military partnership between North Korea and Russia, Brunson characterized Pyongyang's move as a "long-term strategic decision." He warned that the exchange of munitions for advanced technologies has evolved the North's nuclear and missile programs in "dangerous ways." In response, he underscored that alliance modernization is "more than just a slogan," citing increased trilateral cooperation with Japan and multidomain integration as key resilient factors.