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By Ryan Chan
China News Reporter
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The United States has expanded its military presence in Northeast Asia by establishing an MQ-9 drone squadron in South Korea on Monday to deter North Korea's aggression.
Newsweek reached out to North Korea's embassy in Beijing for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The U.S. military has deployed some of its most capable forces, including upgraded F-16 and F-35 stealth fighter jets, in South Korea and Japan to defend the allies amid growing threats posed by regional adversaries, including nuclear-armed North Korea.
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The activation of a South Korea-based drone unit follows the Pentagon's expansion of unmanned aircraft operations in the region, where Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy drones are deployed in Japan to provide continuous intelligence-gathering capabilities.
Meanwhile, North Korea has been developing drones, which bear a visual resemblance to those operated by the U.S., to bolster its conventional military power. Leader Kim Jong Un recently attended a drone test event and praised its development.
What To Know
The U.S. Air Force activated the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, formerly the 431st Fighter Squadron, in 1943, at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea, marking the establishment of the first U.S. Forces Korea MQ-9 Reaper drone squadron.
"The activation of the [431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron] reinforces the dedication of the U.S. to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula," according to the U.S. Seventh Air Force, which is responsible for air operations in South Korea.
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South Korea-based MQ-9 operations will support the allies' priorities in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. Seventh Air Force said, enhancing the alliance's ability to respond to threats and "emerging situations."
According to the U.S. Air Force, the Reaper drone is designed primarily to collect intelligence and secondarily to conduct precision strikes with bombs and missiles, providing a unique capability to perform strike and reconnaissance against targets.
Between July and August, an MQ-9 drone was deployed at South Korea's Gwangju Air Base for training with the host country's air force personnel, aiming to familiarize them with the platform, including the integration of surveillance data captured by the drone.
In April last year, the U.S. Air Force conducted the MQ-9 drone's first live munitions training in South Korea by dropping a laser-guided bomb on a simulated target. This was also the first time the unmanned aircraft had been deployed to the allied country.
What People Are Saying
U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Douglas J. Slater, commander of the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, said in a press release on Monday: "Deploying the MQ-9 brings a powerful capability to the region...We're here to support the mission, deepen cooperation, and demonstrate our shared commitment to maintaining security and stability across the Indo-Pacific."
U.S. Air Force Captain Ryan Jayawardena, director of operations of the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, said in a press release on Monday: "It's an honor to write the next chapter, side by side with our Korean allies...Activating the 431st reflects our shared commitment, hard work, and the strength of an alliance ready for today's challenges."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the U.S. will deploy additional drones to South Korea to monitor North Korea's military developments and China's military activities nearby.
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