The U.S. Department of Defense has reportedly been in communication with South Korean defense officials regarding recent comments made by Gen. Xavier Brunson, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea and United Nations Command. Brunson stated that the territory of the Republic of Korea begins at the southern fence line (Military Demarcation Line).
Military sources revealed on Monday that the South Korean Ministry of National Defense conveyed its concerns about Gen. Brunson’s remarks to the Pentagon and received a response indicating mutual understanding on the matter.
The controversy arose when Gen. Brunson, speaking at a seminar in Washington, D.C. on October 14, claimed that from the United Nations (UN) Command’s perspective, the Republic of Korea begins at the southern fence line.
During his U.S. visit, Brunson also suggested that new criteria are needed for the transfer of wartime operational control, citing evolving North Korean military threats and changes in the operational environment. This stance highlighted some divergences between South Korean and U.S. positions.
South Korea’s defense ministry characterized Gen. Brunson’s comments as personal opinions, reaffirming its unwavering stance on the nation’s territorial sovereignty.
The UN Command clarified that Brunson’s remarks were intended to explain military and administrative responsibilities within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as per the armistice agreement, not to challenge South Korea’s sovereignty.
In a related development, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Kim Kyu-ha expressed disagreement with Brunson’s territorial comments during a National Assembly Defense Committee audit at Army Headquarters in Gyeryong, South Chungcheong Province.
Responding to Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byeong-joo’s inquiry about potential infringement on South Korea’s territorial sovereignty, Gen. Kim emphasized the firm stance of both the defense ministry and the Army on this issue.