[비즈한국] U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth mentioned the issue of South Korea's transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) and emphasized the need for allies to expand their security roles. A scene also unfolded where the Commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) had to clarify his comments after his metaphor of Korea as a 'dagger' stirred controversy.
In his speech at the Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) held in Singapore on the 30th (local time), Secretary Hegseth said, "Security in this region has relied too heavily on U.S. military power," adding, "A strong alliance can only be built when everyone takes responsibility."
He stated, "There is no such thing as a free ride," and declared, "The era of the U.S. subsidizing the defense budgets of wealthy nations is over. We need partners, not protected states." He went on to urge allies and partner nations to increase their defense spending to 3.5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
South Korea was mentioned in this process. Secretary Hegseth remarked, "I applaud the pragmatism and leadership shown by South Korea," adding, "It is encouraging to see an ally like South Korea take more rapid control of its military operations."
Secretary Hegseth also emphasized the need to keep China in check. While noting, "There are concerns regarding China's historical military buildup and its military activities extending into this region and beyond," he clarified, "We do not want unnecessary confrontation in this region," and added, "The U.S. and China maintain military communication channels and are meeting more frequently."
At the event, a clarification was also provided by USFK Commander Xavier Brunson regarding his metaphor of South Korea as a dagger pointed at China.
During the Q&A session immediately following the speech, when Professor Wang Dong from Peking University, representing the Chinese delegation, asked for his opinion on Commander Brunson’s remark from a U.S. Army War College podcast on the 22nd—where he said, "Looking from the east coast of China, you see Korea, which is like a dagger at the heart of Asia"—Secretary Hegseth directed Commander Brunson, who was in the audience, to answer directly.
Commander Brunson explained, "I was quoting an expression from an era when Korea was once compared to a dagger pointed at Japan," and added, "The overall context of my remarks at the time was about the changing perspectives in the region." He then encouraged the Chinese delegation, including Professor Wang Dong, to listen to the full transcript of his remarks.
The expression cited by Commander Brunson is a metaphor originally used by Prussian military advisor Klemens Wilhelm Jakob Meckel during the late Joseon Dynasty: "The Korean Peninsula is a dagger pointed at the heart of Japan," which was used at the time to justify Japan's invasion of the peninsula.
The Chinese government has strongly protested the remark. In a statement issued on the 28th, the Chinese Embassy in Seoul criticized it, saying, "Your remarks have clearly crossed the line." Commander Brunson also sparked controversy in May last year by describing South Korea as "a fixed aircraft carrier floating on the water between Japan and mainland China."
Concluding his speech, Secretary Hegseth emphasized, "What our allies want, and what the U.S. provides, is restrained power and firm resolve," adding, "It is confident leadership that possesses great strength while remaining careful in both speech and action."