(cache)Seoul’s defense chief says US troops should focus on North Korea, not China



News Seoul’s defense chief says US troops should focus on North Korea, not China Ahn Gyu-back also says Russia has provided submarine tech to DPRK, while stressing need to invest in drone warfare Joon Ha Park October 13, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back answers lawmakers’ questions during a ministry audit before the National Assembly’s Defense Committee on Oct. 13, 2025. \| Image: National Assembly via YouTube South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers on Monday that U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) is “solely intended to reinforce deterrence against North Korea,” drawing a clear distinction between Seoul’s defense priorities and Washington’s broader effort to counter China. He also assessed that Russia has provided submarine technology to the DPRK in return for its military support for the invasion of Ukraine, while assessing that the South needs to ramp up investments in drone warfare to counter rapid North Korean developments in that area. South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers on Monday that U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) is “solely intended to reinforce deterrence against North Korea,” drawing a clear distinction between Seoul’s defense priorities and Washington’s broader effort to counter China. He also assessed that Russia has provided submarine technology to the DPRK in return for its military support for the invasion of Ukraine, while assessing that the South needs to ramp up investments in drone warfare to counter rapid North Korean developments in that area. Subscribe now © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending 01 These K-pop stars are from North Korea. You'd never know it from their music. 02 Kim Jong Un says parades demonstrated North Korea’s military might to the world 03 North Korea, Vietnam sign deals on enhancing defense cooperation, other ties 04 North Korea showcases new long-range nukes at rain-soaked military parade 05 How North Korea courted global friends at its ruling party celebrations 06 Kim Jong Un touts totalitarianism to foreign guests at first mass games in years 07 Kim Jong Un holds talks with Russia’s Medvedev on boosting ‘blood-forged’ ties 08 US, ROK hold strategic talks on modernizing alliance, deterring North Korea

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Seoul’s defense chief says US troops should focus on North Korea, not China

Ahn Gyu-back also says Russia has provided submarine tech to DPRK, while stressing need to invest in drone warfare

Joon Ha Park October 13, 2025

Seoul’s defense chief says US troops should focus on North Korea, not China

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back answers lawmakers’ questions during a ministry audit before the National Assembly’s Defense Committee on Oct. 13, 2025. | Image: National Assembly via YouTube

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers on Monday that U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) is “solely intended to reinforce deterrence against North Korea,” drawing a clear distinction between Seoul’s defense priorities and Washington’s broader effort to counter China.

He also assessed that Russia has provided submarine technology to the DPRK in return for its military support for the invasion of Ukraine, while assessing that the South needs to ramp up investments in drone warfare to counter rapid North Korean developments in that area.