South Korean President Unable to Prevent US from Relocating Patriot Missiles to Middle East
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stated that South Korea cannot prevent the United States from relocating several Patriot air defence missile systems stationed in the country to the Middle East region, which is currently experiencing conflict.
Lee emphasised that the withdrawal of some US-manufactured weapons from South Korea would not weaken the deterrent posture against North Korea.
Reports of the relocation of major US military assets from the Asia region have triggered concerns about potential gaps in regional defence. These reports have emerged as the US and Israel engage in intense conflict with Iran since 28 February.
During a cabinet meeting, as reported by news agencies Yonhap and Reuters on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, Lee discussed the controversy surrounding the dispatch of some weapons belonging to US Forces Korea (USFK) and the concerns that have arisen from this action.
“It appears there has been recent controversy regarding the dispatch of some weapons by US Forces Korea, such as artillery batteries and air defence weapons, from the country,” Lee said during the cabinet meeting on Tuesday (10 March).
He revealed that South Korea had stated objections to the possible relocation of USFK military assets, but Seoul is not in a position to make demands of Washington. Lee referred to it as a “bitter reality” that South Korea’s views would not be fully accepted by the US.
“Our government expects USFK to fully contribute to stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula, which I believe they have done so far,” Lee stated.
“However, depending on how the situation develops, USFK may dispatch some air defence systems abroad in accordance with their own military needs. Although we have expressed opposition, the reality is that we cannot fully enforce our position,” he said.
Furthermore, Lee emphasised that the relocation of some US weapons from South Korea “does not hinder the deterrence strategy against North Korea”. He stressed that South Korea’s defence spending and conventional capabilities far exceed those of North Korea.
“If you ask whether our deterrence strategy against North Korea is severely impacted (by the possible relocation of these assets), I can say it is not at all,” the South Korean president stated firmly.
South Korea hosts a substantial US military presence as part of joint defence against North Korea. Approximately 28,500 US troops and air-to-ground defence systems, including Patriot missile interceptor systems, are deployed in South Korean territory.
Local South Korean media reports indicate that several batteries of Patriot missiles have been flown out from Osan Air Base for possible deployment to US bases in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. These media reports have not been confirmed by Seoul or USFK.