USFK Commander's 'Dagger' Remark Sparks Fury from North Korea, China
US Forces Korea Commander Xavier Brunson's recent remark likening South Korea to a 'dagger pointed at the heart of Asia' has drawn sharp criticism from North Korea and China. North Korea condemned the remark as reflecting Washington's strategy to contain China, while China called it 'hostile and crossing the line.' South Korea expressed concern to the US.
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(Central News Agency, Seoul, June 3, Comprehensive Foreign Reports) US Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Xavier Brunson recently likened South Korea to a 'dagger pointed at the heart of Asia.' North Korea on Monday denounced the remark, saying it reflects Washington's strategy to contain China. China had publicly condemned the remarks last week as 'hostile and crossing the line.'
According to AFP, Brunson made the remarks in an interview amid growing speculation that the US might seek to expand the role of USFK to counter China's regional influence.
Approximately 28,500 US troops are currently deployed in South Korea to help defend against nuclear-armed North Korea.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published a commentary by analyst Kim Myong Chol, who is based in Japan and is considered an unofficial overseas spokesman for North Korea. He stated that Brunson's remarks show the US is 'the chief culprit in disturbing peace and the most heinous war empire in the world.'
Kim said the remarks reflect Washington's intention to use South Korea as 'a key geopolitical tool to realize its regional strategy aimed at containing China.'
China has been North Korea's main trading partner and a key supporter of its diplomacy and economy for decades.
South Korea's presidential office said over the weekend it had noted Brunson's remarks and has been 'communicating through channels at all levels on all related issues.'
South Korean media, including News1 and JTBC, reported that Seoul had expressed concern to the US over the matter.
In the interview, Army General Brunson said, 'When (the Chinese) look out from China's eastern coast, the first thing they see is South Korea, a dagger pointed at the heart of Asia.'
According to a transcript of the interview released by the Strategic Studies Institute of the US Army War College, Brunson also likened Japan to a 'shield' against China's regional ambitions.
China's embassy in Seoul publicly condemned the remarks last week as 'crossing the line' and 'full of hostility and attacks against China,' questioning whether the remarks had been authorized by Washington. (Editor: Qu Xiangping) 1150603
According to AFP, Brunson made the remarks in an interview amid growing speculation that the US might seek to expand the role of USFK to counter China's regional influence.
Approximately 28,500 US troops are currently deployed in South Korea to help defend against nuclear-armed North Korea.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published a commentary by analyst Kim Myong Chol, who is based in Japan and is considered an unofficial overseas spokesman for North Korea. He stated that Brunson's remarks show the US is 'the chief culprit in disturbing peace and the most heinous war empire in the world.'
Kim said the remarks reflect Washington's intention to use South Korea as 'a key geopolitical tool to realize its regional strategy aimed at containing China.'
China has been North Korea's main trading partner and a key supporter of its diplomacy and economy for decades.
South Korea's presidential office said over the weekend it had noted Brunson's remarks and has been 'communicating through channels at all levels on all related issues.'
South Korean media, including News1 and JTBC, reported that Seoul had expressed concern to the US over the matter.
In the interview, Army General Brunson said, 'When (the Chinese) look out from China's eastern coast, the first thing they see is South Korea, a dagger pointed at the heart of Asia.'
According to a transcript of the interview released by the Strategic Studies Institute of the US Army War College, Brunson also likened Japan to a 'shield' against China's regional ambitions.
China's embassy in Seoul publicly condemned the remarks last week as 'crossing the line' and 'full of hostility and attacks against China,' questioning whether the remarks had been authorized by Washington. (Editor: Qu Xiangping) 1150603