US to send more troops to South Korea

Approximately 800 more U.S. soldiers will deploy to South Korea next month, the Defense Department announced on Tuesday.

The Army’s 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st U.S. Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas, will deploy to South Korea on Feb. 1. 

{mosads}“This action supports the United States’ defense commitment to the Republic of Korea as specified by the mutual defense treaty and presidential agreements,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

The battalion that will deploy will provide a “trained and combat-ready force.” Their rotation will last for nine months.

“The deployment of 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment to Korea is part of U.S. enduring rebalancing efforts within the Asia-Pacific region, and allows for greater responsiveness to better meet theater operational requirements. 

The announcement came one day after Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se at the Pentagon on Monday. 

According to the Pentagon, they discussed “the importance of maintaining a robust combined defense of the Korean Peninsula as a strong deterrent against provocations from North Korea.”