Unspoken Truth About Strategic Flexibility: Korea Must Face Reality
In-bum Chun
Public debate over U.S. “strategic flexibility” has resurfaced, stirred by speculation that American forces stationed in South Korea may be deployed elsewhere — most notably, to potential conflicts in the Taiwan Strait. While politically convenient for some, such speculation reflects a deep misunderstanding of history, strategic doctrine and the realities of the alliance.
Let’s set the record straight: The United States has never wavered in its position on strategic flexibility. Since day one, Washington has maintained that its global forces — wherever stationed — are subject to redeployment based on evolving strategic needs. The only difference now is that this long-standing position has finally broken through to public consciousness. The fault lies not with Americans for holding their ground, but with Koreans for failing to confront what that ground has always meant.
Read the full piece here at The Korea Times published on August 4, 2025.
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