USFK chief calls for more dispersed military drills across S. Korea, citing Ukraine war lessons

The commander of U.S. Forces Korea, Gen. Xavier Brunson, has advocated for more geographically dispersed military drills across South Korea. This call for change was prompted by insights gained from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the necessity to adapt to emerging battlefield threats. During a panel discussion at the Association of the United States Army's annual conference in Washington, Brunson elaborated on his vision for enhancing the preparedness and deterrence capabilities of U.S. and South Korean forces.

"In my view, the dominant focus of the two major exercises held annually in Korea is centered around large command posts," Brunson noted. "We must shift away from this approach." He proposed that the allied forces consider conducting exercises across a wider geographical expanse rather than confining them to fixed locations. Brunson posed a thought-provoking scenario: "What if we trained from Jeju all the way up to Gyeonggi Province in the north?" He envisioned a comprehensive training regime that envelops the entire peninsula.

Brunson emphasized the importance of learning from the war in Ukraine, where the extensive use of drones and other contemporary military technologies offered valuable lessons. He believed that these insights could significantly influence future military exercises and strategies in South Korea.