West Asia conflict reaches Seoul

South Korea’s foreign minister on Friday told a legislative hearing that the United States has not requested military or non-military assistance from Seoul over the war in the Middle East, but declined to comment on reports that Washington could relocate some of its assets in South Korea to support the fighting.

When asked by a lawmaker about a media report that US forces were moving some of its Patriot anti-missile defence systems to a major air base near Seoul, Cho Hyun said he couldn’t confirm details related to US military operations. Cho said Seoul and Washington were maintaining close communication and that the allies’ combined defence posture would not be affected by developments in the Middle East. US Forces Korea said in a statement it does not comment on the movement.