Amid growing concerns that North Korea might exploit South Korea’s political turmoil to provoke tensions, a change-of-command ceremony for the commander of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) was held on Friday.
Patrick Ryder, the Department of Defense spokesperson, announced during a briefing at the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., on Thursday that General Paul LaCamera would transfer command of the United Nations Command (UNC), the Republic of Korea-US Combined Forces Command (CFC), and the U.S. Forces Korea to General Xavier T. Brunson in a ceremony on Friday.
Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, presided over the ceremony, prompted by General LaCamera’s expiration of term.
The USFK Commander concurrently serves as the UNC and CFC Commander. In September, President Joe Biden nominated General Brunson for the USFK position, which the Senate approved in the same month.
Born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, General Brunson served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. He previously held positions as Chief of Staff of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Commander of the 7th Infantry Division. Before his new role, he served as the I Corps Commander at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State.
Spokesperson Ryder also commented on reports of North Korean casualties in Russia, stating that the situation is being closely monitored. Current assessments indicate that hundreds of North Korean troops have been killed or injured, and Ryder added that the number is expected to increase.