South Korea Voices Concern Over Brunson's Remarks on OPCON and DMZ; US Responds with Empathy

The South Korean government has reportedly conveyed its concerns to the United States regarding recent remarks by Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of United States Forces Korea—including his statement that South Korea begins at the southern fence line of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)—and received a response indicating empathy from the U.S. side.

The government reportedly expressed its views to the U.S. through multiple channels regarding Commander Brunson's recent public remarks in general, and the U.S. side is said to have replied that it is fully aware of and shares sympathy with those concerns.

Commander Brunson, who also serves as commander of the United Nations Command, sparked controversy on October 14 at a U.S. think tank seminar by remarking, "Where does the Republic of Korea begin and where does it end? From the perspective of the United Nations Command, the Republic of Korea begins at that [DMZ] southern fence."

The ruling bloc poured out criticism, arguing that Commander Brunson's remark disregards the territorial sovereignty of the Republic of Korea.

An official from the Ministry of National Defense previously dismissed the comment as "the personal view of the United Nations Command commander," stressing that "the Ministry of National Defense's stance on the territorial sovereignty of the Republic of Korea is firm."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.