[임수향] #LanPac2025 Keynote: Gen Xavier T. Brunson

[한영21기_임수향]

Title: #LanPac2025 Keynote: Gen Xavier T. Brunson, CDR UN Command, US Forces Korea

Speaker: Gen Xavier T. Brunson

Date: May 16, 2025

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbrLiZFViSo (8:30-10:52)

Word Count: 311

Glossary

No.	ENG	KOR	Remarks
1	first island chain	제1도련선	일본–대만–필리핀으로 이어지는 해양 방어선. 중국 해군의 태평양 진출을 견제하는 핵심 전략지대.
2	tyranny of distance	거리의 폭정	인도·태평양처럼 거리가 극단적으로 먼 지역에서 보급·지속 작전이 매우 어려운 상황을 뜻하는 군사 개념.
3	sustainment	전력 유지·보급	연료·장비·탄약 등 작전을 지속하기 위한 모든 보급·정비 활동. 장거리 작전의 가장 큰 과제.
4	key terrain	전략적 요충지	통제 여부가 작전 성공을 좌우하는 핵심 지형. 한반도는 지리적·전략적 요충지로 분류됨.
5	anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD)	접근 거부·지역 거부	미사일·방공·전자전 등으로 아군 접근을 막거나 활동을 제한하는 전략. 중국·러시아·북한이 대표적 운용국.
6	headspace	판단·인지 공간	적 지도부가 우리의 움직임을 계속 의식하도록 만드는 억지·심리적 효과를 의미하는 비유적 표현.

Script

What immediately stood out to me as I looked at the map was the position of the Korean Peninsula and the fact that it's on the Asian continent, has a sizable US force posture, is inside the first island chain, and is the closest allied presence to Beijing.

At night from a satellite image, the Republic of Korea looks like an island — or like a fixed aircraft carrier — floating in the water between Japan and mainland China.

The Indo-Pacific region represents many challenges, largely defined by the tyranny of distance, especially when it comes to sustainment. Korea sits at the center of the map, and it's a critical location when it comes to trade routes, regional security, and is key terrain in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

But it's not just about proximity; it's about speed and complexity. Our presence in Korea imposes cost, changes the calculations of leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Russia, and China, and provides options for our nation's most senior leaders.

In any conflict, time and distance are pervasive adversaries. We can, however, leverage our geography and positional advantage to great effect. Our presence in the region gives our adversaries pause and ultimately supports the defense of the homeland from freedom's front yard.

By being forward-stationed, we effectively operate inside an adversary's anti-access/area-denial bubble — and inside their headspace.

If you were to consider the region contextually, with the growing relationship between Russia and the DPRK and the already well-known relations between China and Russia, both nations share a border with the DPRK and both have facilitated the DPRK to circumvent sanctions for more than 10 years.

I imagine the DPRK like a limbered horse with China and Russia's hands on the reins. The DPRK has developed a nuclear arsenal and is expanding their capabilities every day with the help of Russia and China.