Does the USFK Have a Future?

This report suggests that most of the command machinery may be moving to Japan.

A new U.S. Army command to be set up at Camp Zama in Japan would assume charge in an emergency on the Korean Peninsula, the Daily Yomiuri reported Monday.
. . . .

The daily said direct command of the UEX would be limited to an emergency on the Korean Peninsula, while the China-Taiwan “hot zone” and conflicts in Southeast Asia included in the “arc of instability” would come under the command of the Third Marine Expeditionary Force based in Okinawa. However, in any Korean emergency U.S. Marine units in Okinawa would come under the operational command of the UEX.

The move seems intended to strengthen the USFJ and will likely entail reorganization of the U.S. Forces in Korea. USFK command could be merged with the USFJ’s or taken down a peg to be put under USFJ control.

The timing of the announcement certainly is interesting. Of course, no one can say today what the political climate in Japan will be tomorrow, but it does appear more likely to be hospitable than that of South Korea.