Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, said South Korea and the United States should jointly develop counter-drone capabilities and additive manufacturing technology to narrow the gap between production sites and the front line. On combined military exercises, he called for training to be conducted year-round.
Brunson made the remarks at a special luncheon forum hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) on the 21st at the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon.
The forum, held under the theme "The Korea-U.S. Alliance in a Changing World: Strengthening Security, Prosperity and Partnership" to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, drew about 200 participants including Brunson and U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Park Steel, who discussed security and economic issues between the two countries.
In his welcoming address, AMCHAM Chairman James Kim said the Korea-U.S. alliance is stronger than ever, with a broader scope of cooperation and growing importance. "The leadership of Ambassador Steel and Gen. Brunson is essential to opening a new chapter in the Korea-U.S. partnership," he said.
The discussion that followed covered the potential for South Korea to develop into a regional logistics support hub by drawing on its defense and manufacturing capabilities, as well as ways to strengthen military readiness. Participants also discussed improving the predictability of digital regulation, creating a level playing field for competition, and cooperation in U.S. energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Brunson identified sustainment — the ability to maintain operations over extended periods — as central amid rising security threats. "Deterrence is sustained by industry and technology," he said. "We should not simply wait for slow transport ships crossing the Pacific to repair key equipment and components."
As a solution, he proposed joint technology development between the two countries. "When Korean and U.S. companies jointly develop counter-drone capabilities and additive manufacturing technology, we can narrow the gap between production sites and the front line," Brunson said. The idea is to build the capacity to sustain strategic assets within the Korean Peninsula rather than relying on the U.S. mainland.
"If a U.S. Navy vessel receives maintenance and overhaul at a Korean shipyard safely and quickly and returns to sea ahead of schedule, that translates into operational deterrence," Brunson said. "We need to build a relationship in which American innovation and Korea's creative capabilities are integrated more deeply and durably."
He also signaled changes to the training framework. "I met with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Jin Young-seung this week to discuss how we will train during Freedom Shield," Brunson said. "We should not rely on just two large-scale exercises a year for readiness." His point was that the nature of training must change as North Korean threats grow more advanced. Freedom Shield (FS) is one of two regular Korea-U.S. combined exercises held each year, alongside Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS).
"We have to train all year long," Brunson said. "We have to keep developing to achieve the goals we have set." The remarks were read as meaning the two countries should train on a year-round basis rather than depending solely on the two large combined exercises, FS and UFS. Earlier, on the 12th, Brunson also said at the U.S. Army Association annual event in Washington, D.C., that distributed training is needed across the Korean Peninsula.
Brunson did not address the recent controversy over his comments on changing the criteria for the transfer of wartime operational control.