USFK Commander Xavier Brunson (photo) described South Korea as “a dagger at the center of Asia in the view of China,” prompting the Chinese Embassy in South Korea on the 28th to push back, saying “crossed the line.”

In a response issued in the form of answers to media questions, the Chinese Embassy cited public remarks by Brunson and said, “We solemnly warn the USFK commander that ‘your remarks have clearly crossed the line’.” It added, “We hope the USFK commander will respect the countries in the region and make greater efforts to promote regional peace and stability.”

The embassy also asked, “Were the hostile and aggressive remarks about China approved by Washington, or are they intended to nullify the understandings reached at the U.S.·China summit?” and “Is calling USFK an aircraft carrier or a dagger an act of belligerence, or an attempt to hold other countries hostage?”

Earlier, on the 26th (local time), Brunson appeared on a podcast hosted by the U.S. Army War College and said, “When they (China) look from the east coast of China, what comes into view is South Korea, which could be called a dagger (stiletto) at the center of Asia,” and “there is also Japan, which is a kind of shield and, when they harbor ambitions to move beyond the South China Sea, a defensive wall.” This is interpreted as revealing an intent to contain China by likening South Korea, given its geopolitical position, to a dagger capable of targeting China.

Brunson has repeatedly stated that the U.S.-ROK alliance should expand from defending against North Korea to containing China. In May last year, at the Land Forces Pacific Symposium in Hawaii, he described South Korea as “a fixed aircraft carrier floating on the water between Japan and the Chinese mainland.” In an interview with the Japan Times this April, he also emphasized a ‘kill web’ concept that would link the military capabilities of South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines, with the U.S.-ROK alliance as the hub, to respond to North Korea, China, and Russia.

These remarks are seen as reflecting a plan by the Donald Trump administration to expand the role of USFK over the long term toward containing China. In addition, some analysis suggests that, as the transfer of wartime operational control moves forward, he aims to highlight the strategic importance of USFK.

Jeong Han-beom, a professor at Korea National Defense University, said in a telephone interview, “These remarks appear to be continuing in communication with higher-level U.S. authorities who believe that, over the long term, USFK should shift to a posture of containing China,” adding, “There also seems to be an intent to consolidate its footing by continually informing the homeland of the importance and value of USFK.” Of the 40 four-star billets in the U.S. military, 7 are allocated to the Army. The USFK commander is one of them, and if the value or standing of USFK weakens, the number of four-star generals in the Army could decrease.

Kim Heung-kyu, head of the U.S.-China Policy Institute at Ajou University, said, “For South Korea, it is difficult either to rebut the remarks by Commander Brunson as they are or to accept them,” adding, “It is necessary to make clear that assuming future scenarios that worsen the issue or lead to a phase of conflict does not align with the interests of South Korea·United States·China.”