New U.S. Forces Korea Commander Curtis Scaparrotti said Monday that the military was still considering creating a combined division of South Korean and American troops following the transfer of wartime operational control.

His predecessor James D. Thurman is known to have suggested the establishment of the division to strengthen the alliance and its deterrence against the unpredictable, provocative regime in Pyongyang.

“The combined division is, in fact, still under consideration, and there has been no decision, but we discussed it as part of that briefing (recently at the Second U.S. Infantry Division),” Scaparrotti said during a meeting with the press corps of Seoul’s Defense Ministry.

“I think it is a strong possibility. I think it will be a strong additive to our alliance.”

The commander, who took the helm of the USFK, Combined Forces Command and U.N. Command last month, also said retaining some residual forces north of Seoul ― instead of relocating all of them to Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, as scheduled ― is also under consideration.

“In terms of the residual in what we call Area One, there may be a need operationally to leave some residual in those areas just for proper defense and response. Again, those are under consideration and there has been no decision,” he said.

“It is a sensitive issue and we will work all the way through it and do what is best for the defense of Korea.”

While Thurman was leading the CFC, a flurry of ideas were discussed to strengthen the combined defense of South Korea, as North Korea has continued provocative moves including missile and nuclear tests.

One of the ideas that stood out was the establishment of a combined division, which analysts say could deepen bilateral security ties and mitigate concerns that the OPCON transfer could embolden the North.

The allies have experience in running a combined defense unit. In 1971, they created the ROK-U.S. 1st Corps, which put Korea’s 1st, 5th and 6th Corps under its operational command. The unit led to the establishment in 1978 of the allies’ CFC, which now serves as bedrock for peninsular defense.

Commenting on Japan’s controversial pursuit of collective self-defense, Gen. Scaparrotti stressed that U.S. alliances with both South Korea and Japan were important for regional stability.

“They are also symbols of our commitment to stability in this region and symbols of commitment to each of these countries. And they work together in a complementary fashion to bring about stability here,” he said.

“I will just say the U.S. is committed to both alliances and we see them as complementary, and we would expect Japan or the Republic of Korea to cooperate with the international norms, just as we do, and I am sure you (South Korea) and Japan will.”

A native of Logan, Ohio, Scaparrotti has served in key leadership positions at the tactical, operational and strategic levels of the U.S. military. He has commanded forces during overseas deployments including for operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Support Hope in Rwanda and Assured Response in Liberia.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)