US rotationally deploys armored combat brigade to S. Korea

The US Army said Wednesday it has started to rotationally deploy an armored combat brigade to South Korea as part of Washington's "extended deterrence" protection offered to its close ally against North Korean provocations.

"Extended deterrence" refers to the commitment to use nuclear weapons to deter attacks on allies. The US has provided extended deterrence to South Korea, after withdrawing nuclear warheads from the country in the early 1990s.

The arrangement includes placing Seoul under Washington's so-called nuclear umbrella.

Some 3,500 soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Riley, Kansas, will gradually replace the 1st Cavalry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team.

"The leaders and soldiers of this great brigade are well-trained and fully prepared for this important mission to South Korea," Brig. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, deputy commanding general of the infantry division, said in the statement. (Yonhap)