US Military Denies Moving THAAD System, Emphasizes It Remains Deployed on the Korean Peninsula
The commander of US Forces Korea denied reports that the THAAD missile defense system was moved from South Korea to the Middle East due to tensions with Iran. He clarified that only ammunition and personnel were repositioned, and THAAD remains on the peninsula.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 09:19
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 09:31 (12 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 12:51 (3h 19m after Collected)
Central News
(CNA, Washington, 21st, Comprehensive Foreign Dispatch) The commander of U.S. Forces Korea stated today that the United States has not moved key missile defense systems from South Korea to the Middle East for the conflict with Iran, emphasizing that the system remains deployed on the Korean Peninsula.
According to Reuters, the Washington Post reported in March, citing two officials, that the U.S. Department of Defense was moving some equipment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system from South Korea to the Middle East.
The U.S.-made THAAD system is used to intercept high-altitude ballistic missiles and is deployed in South Korea to guard against threats from nuclear-armed North Korea.
During a Senate committee hearing, General Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, was asked by Democratic Senator Gary Peters whether South Korea was concerned that moving the THAAD system would weaken deterrence against North Korea.
Brunson replied: "We have not moved any THAAD systems; this system is still deployed on the Korean Peninsula. However, we have repositioned ammunition to the front lines, and this ammunition is currently in transit."
He added: "There were indeed some movements in the past, such as radars being deployed early. That was before 'Operation Midnight Hammer'," referring to the U.S. strike against Iran last June.
Brunson stated, "Some of this equipment has not yet been recalled, but the THAAD system itself... remains on the peninsula," and expects these systems to continue to be deployed there.
"We simply repositioned our forces. I think that's why there was a misunderstanding on the outside," he said.
Brunson noted: "I was dynamically routing those personnel at the time so they could enter Osan Air Base in sequence, preparing to transfer ammunition, which caused quite a stir on the peninsula."
After reports of the movements emerged in March, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung [Note: This reflects the source text, though historically Yoon Suk-yeol is the president depending on the exact year context, but translating exactly] stated that even if Washington withdrew weapons from the Korean Peninsula, Seoul still has the capability to deter any threats from North Korea. (Translated by Hsu Jui-cheng) 1150422
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(CNA, Washington, 21st, Comprehensive Foreign Dispatch) The commander of U.S. Forces Korea stated today that the United States has not moved key missile defense systems from South Korea to the Middle East for the conflict with Iran, emphasizing that the system remains deployed on the Korean Peninsula.
According to Reuters, the Washington Post reported in March, citing two officials, that the U.S. Department of Defense was moving some equipment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system from South Korea to the Middle East.
The U.S.-made THAAD system is used to intercept high-altitude ballistic missiles and is deployed in South Korea to guard against threats from nuclear-armed North Korea.
During a Senate committee hearing, General Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, was asked by Democratic Senator Gary Peters whether South Korea was concerned that moving the THAAD system would weaken deterrence against North Korea.
Brunson replied: "We have not moved any THAAD systems; this system is still deployed on the Korean Peninsula. However, we have repositioned ammunition to the front lines, and this ammunition is currently in transit."
He added: "There were indeed some movements in the past, such as radars being deployed early. That was before 'Operation Midnight Hammer'," referring to the U.S. strike against Iran last June.
Brunson stated, "Some of this equipment has not yet been recalled, but the THAAD system itself... remains on the peninsula," and expects these systems to continue to be deployed there.
"We simply repositioned our forces. I think that's why there was a misunderstanding on the outside," he said.
Brunson noted: "I was dynamically routing those personnel at the time so they could enter Osan Air Base in sequence, preparing to transfer ammunition, which caused quite a stir on the peninsula."
After reports of the movements emerged in March, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung [Note: This reflects the source text, though historically Yoon Suk-yeol is the president depending on the exact year context, but translating exactly] stated that even if Washington withdrew weapons from the Korean Peninsula, Seoul still has the capability to deter any threats from North Korea. (Translated by Hsu Jui-cheng) 1150422
Choose to stand with the facts, every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.