Pentagon to reduce its role in deterrence of North Korea

South Korean and US soldiers watch a joint live firing drill. The Pentagon says its ally is capable of taking most of the responsibility for deterring North Korea. Photograph: Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images

The Pentagon foresees a “more limited” role in deterring North Korea, with South Korea taking primary responsibility for the task, a Pentagon policy document released on Friday said, in a move likely to raise concern in Seoul.

South Korea hosts about 28,500 US troops in combined defence against North Korea’s military threat and Seoul has raised its defence budget by 7.5% for this year.