Remember the talk of “strategic flexibility” for USFK? Well this is what that looks like:
South Korea and the United States have recently agreed on a plan to temporarily deploy Patriot missile defense batteries from the South to the Middle East, sources said Friday, amid speculation over a potential shift in the role of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).
The allies agreed last month on the “monthslong” partial deployment of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3, the first known case involving the relocation of USFK assets to the Middle East, according to the sources.
The missiles work alongside South Korea’s own air defense assets in a multilayered missile defense system against North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats, according to the sources.
The rare move comes after U.S. broadcaster NBC News reported last week that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized at least two Patriot missile defense batteries from Asia to be moved to the Middle East as the U.S. takes military action against Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
You can read more at the link, but does this become the new normal for USFK where units are regularly deployed off the peninsula to respond to needs elsewhere in the world?
The only thing I find surprising by this ruling was that it was unanimous:
The Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday, removing him from office over his short-lived imposition of martial law in December.
The verdict, which was read by acting court chief Moon Hyung-bae and televised live, took effect immediately, requiring the country to hold a snap presidential election to pick Yoon’s successor within 60 days, which many expect to fall on June 3.
China has a well-rehearsed routine when laying claim on a new reef. First put down buoys. After this, temporary wooden shelters follow, which China claims are for "Chinese fishermen"
Endangered animal An otter searches for food at Yongbongje Reservoir in the southwestern city of Gwangju on April 1, 2025, in this provided photo. The otter, an endangered animal, is designated as the country’s Natural Monument No. 330. (Yonhap)
I think this is where the political crisis has really impacted South Korea, which is the inability to effectively negotiate tariffs with the Trump administration because you don’t know who will be President week-to-week:
Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, right, speaks at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul, Thursday, during a meeting with businesspeople to discuss countermeasures against U.S. reciprocal tariffs. In the middle is Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo.
Korea has been hit with the highest reciprocal tariff rate among the 20 countries that have free trade agreements (FTAs) with the United States.
With it clear that Seoul had failed to persuade Washington to impose lower tariffs on Korean products compared to those from major exporters like Japan and the European Union, concerns are growing over Korea’s diplomatic approach and future trade negotiations with the U.S.
The White House announced on Wednesday (local time) that the U.S. will impose a 26 percent reciprocal tariff on Korea, while charging 24 percent on Japan and 20 percent on EU member states.
Drugs are a growing problem in South Korea that hopefully this drug seizure will help to combat:
South Korea’s customs authorities and Coast Guard on Wednesday seized approximately 1 ton of smuggled cocaine on a foreign vessel docked on the country’s east coast, officials said.
The Donghae regional office of the Coast Guard and the Seoul Regional Customs deployed around 90 personnel to search the ship docked at a port in Gangneung after receiving a tip-off from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at around 6:30 a.m.
The FBI had warned that a 32,000-ton carrier suspected of carrying drugs was entering Korean waters on the day, according to the officials.
The Norwegian-flagged vessel is believed to have departed from Mexico and traveled through Ecuador, Panama and China before arriving in Korea.
Authorities discovered 50 boxes each containing about 20 kilograms of cocaine hidden aboard the ship.
The seized drugs have an estimated market value of 500 billion won (US$341.7 million), equivalent to around two million doses.
Chinese people who worship the CCP are the funniest hypocrites ever!
They scream “Down with America!” while sipping Starbucks in New York. They praise China’s “great system” while standing in line for a U.S. visa. 1/4@Jay83214566pic.twitter.com/f7nlyUEbm2
I hope it doesn’t happen, but at this point I would be shocked if violence of some kind does not happen after the impeachment decision. I think the violence will be less if Yoon is impeached and greater if he is retained:
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Wednesday urged politicians to avoid making divisive remarks that could lead to violence on Friday, when the Constitutional Court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment.
Han’s remark comes amid a deepening partisan rift observed in the National Assembly, coupled with the political turmoil that has gripped the nation since Yoon’s martial law decree in December.
“Now is a time to prioritize the stability and survival of our community over political gain,” Han said during a meeting attended by the heads of the justice, science, defense and interior ministries. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also attended the meeting, as did the chiefs of police and firefighting agencies.
“I earnestly plead with you to refrain from remarks that can provoke or incite illegal protests or violence. Please show a responsible attitude that contributes to social cohesion rather than (prompting) division and conflict,” he added.
Concerns have mounted over the possibility of violence and clashes on Friday between pro- and anti-Yoon protesters as well as conflict between demonstrators and the police.
