US forces launch space unit to South Korea amid growing North threats

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SEOUL, Dec 14 (Reuters) – U.S. Forces Korea launched a new space forces unit on Wednesday as allies step up efforts to better counter evolving nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.

U.S. Space Forces Korea is the second overseas space component of the Space Force and is tasked with monitoring, detecting and tracking incoming missiles, as well as enhancing the military’s overall space capability.

Commander of US Forces Korea, General Paul LaCamera, held a ceremony at Osan Air Base in the South Korean city of Pyeongtaek to mark the establishment of the unit, which will be led by Lt. Col. Joshua McCullion.

The launch comes as Seoul and Washington seek to boost security cooperation to deter North Korea, which tested intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the continental United States this year.

The South Korean Air Force also established its own space unit this month to bolster its space power and operational capability with the US Space Force.

About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea under a mutual defense treaty forged after the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.

The US Indo-Pacific Command and Central Command set up their space units last month in Hawaii and Florida.

Reporting by Hyonhee Shin. Editing by Gerry Doyle

Our standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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