North Korea fired a salvo of 10 ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Saturday, highlighting the need for South Korea to retain a credible missile defense. Unfortunately, the launch coincides with reports that the US is withdrawing some missile defense systems from South Korea to enhance its capabilities in the Middle East amid the ongoing war with Iran.
Citing US officials, The Washington Post reported on March 9 that the Pentagon was transferring Patriot and Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile batteries from US Forces Korea (USFK) to the Middle East. South Korean media have also reported on an unusually high number of flights by US military transport aircraft from Osan Air Base, although the US is remaining tight-lipped about its actions.