Xavier Brunson, commander of the Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), has outlined a "kill web" concept under which South Korea, Japan and the Philippines would conduct joint military operations in the event of a contingency.
According to Japanese English-language daily The Japan Times on Saturday, Brunson cited the concept as a way to respond more effectively to security threats from North Korea, China and Russia. For example, if U.S. satellite-based sensors detect signs of an attack from North Korea, China or Russia, a ground-based radar site in one of South Korea, Japan or the Philippines would track the movement, while another country would mount a response. He added that the kill web requires a network in which all sensors, including satellites, drones and troops, can transmit real-time data to strike assets such as aircraft, ships and missile systems.
Brunson also said the military linkage among South Korea, the United States and Japan aims to extend beyond traditional military domains of land, sea and air into space, cyber and electromagnetic domains, integrating them into a single network system. He explained that in modern warfare, the outcome tends to be decided in the cyber and electromagnetic arenas before conventional combat even begins.
Brunson added that U.S. allies such as South Korea, Japan and the Philippines cannot exist in isolation, saying, "Connecting them removes a single axis that adversaries can prepare against, thereby enhancing military strength." The Japan Times noted that realizing the U.S. kill web concept will require expanded intelligence sharing and increased U.S. military equipment support in the region.
