Javier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea and of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, met with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu‑baek on the 11th.
A Defense Ministry official said Brunson visited the ministry headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul, that morning to meet with Ahn.
They discussed developments in the Middle East after recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran and reviewed the status of Freedom Shield (FS), the U.S.-South Korea joint exercise that began on the 9th.
The meeting came as signs emerged of U.S. force movements toward the region. On the 3rd, six THAAD launchers at the Seongju base in North Gyeongsang were observed moving outside the installation. Some Patriot (PAC-3) air-defense batteries and large transport aircraft, including C-17s and C-5s, were also reported gathering at Osan Air Base in Gyeonggi Province. U.S. officials likely updated Minister Ahn on those movements.
A Defense Ministry official declined to provide further details but said, "Defense authorities from both countries have maintained close consultations on a range of security issues."
