Pentagon to reduce its role in deterrence of North Korea

US policy document suggests South Korea take primary responsibility, as Pentagon prioritises defending US homeland

The Pentagon foresees a “more limited” role in deterring North Korea, with South Korea taking primary responsibility for the task, a Pentagon policy document released on Friday said, in a move likely to raise concern in Seoul.

South Korea hosts about 28,500 US troops in combined defence against North Korea’s military threat and Seoul has raised its defence budget by 7.5% for this year.