The U.S. Department of Defense announced on September 29 that it is using the transition of wartime operational control to enhance the combat capabilities of the South Korean military. The department also assessed that Japan needs to make additional efforts to expand its defense burden sharing.
In a document titled '2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS) Implementation Update' released on its website, the Department of Defense outlined the status of its defense strategy implementation, which was submitted to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on September 22.
The document stated, "The U.S. is enhancing conventional forces in South Korea to respond to all regional threats while continuing to modernize the South Korea-U.S. alliance."
It further noted, "As South Korea accelerates its efforts to transition wartime operational control, the U.S. Department of Defense is leveraging this opportunity to significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the South Korean military over a generation."
The document highlighted significant progress in defense burden sharing in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly noting South Korea's expansion of its defense responsibilities as a key achievement. It stated, "South Korea has become the first non-NATO ally to adopt a new global standard of allocating 3.5% of its GDP to core military capabilities," adding that South Korea has committed to taking the lead in conventional defense against North Korea.
In its defense strategy announced in January, the Department of Defense praised South Korea's high level of defense spending, robust defense industry, and strong military based on mandatory conscription, stating, "Even with more limited U.S. support, South Korea has the capability to take primary responsibility for deterrence against North Korea."
In contrast, the document called for Japan to take on additional defense burden sharing. It noted, "Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took significant initial steps last year by promising to accelerate Japan's defense enhancement plans," but emphasized that "considerable additional efforts are still needed to expand fair defense burden sharing and strengthen joint defense capabilities."
Japan revised its three key security documents in 2022, committing to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP by the 2027 fiscal year. Subsequently, Prime Minister Takaichi announced last October that Japan would aim to achieve this defense spending target two years earlier.
The document also addressed China, stating that the goal is to maintain a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific to ensure that the U.S. and its allies are not dominated by any one country. It reported that, under former President Donald Trump's directive, communication with China is occurring at an unprecedented level and frequency.
At the same time, it noted that the U.S. is continuously enhancing its military capabilities to strengthen 'deterrent defense' along the First Island Chain, which connects Japan's Kyushu, Okinawa, Taiwan, and the Philippines, while avoiding conflict with China.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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