美 국방수권법 "화웨이 사용 국가에 미군 배치 재고" 압박<br /><br />The U.S. defense budget bill for next year could reportedly pressure U.S. security allies like South Korea... to not use Chinese 5G telecom equipment... namely Huawei.<br />Kim Ji-yeon explains how such a provision could affect South Korea.<br />The U.S. defense budget bill for 2021 reportedly includes a new provision requiring the Defense Department to consider the risks of 5G networks to key military equipment used by American troops deployed overseas for a long period of time.<br />The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Sunday... that the bill stipulates the U.S. "Secretary of Defense should submit a report to Congress within a year after the bill's passed ...on the risk to U.S. military personnel, equipment and operations due to Huawei 5G architecture in host countries and possible steps for mitigation."<br />Experts say the U.S. is expected to make further demands for South Korea to refrain from using Chinese telecom equipment... but that it shouldn't pose a material threat when it comes to maintaining U.S. troops in the country.<br />"The U.S. has cautioned against using Huawei equipment for a long time, citing the risks of security leaks. In turn, South Korea has been reducing its reliance on Huawei."<br />Out of Korea's three major telecom operations, LG Uplus... is known to have been using Huawei equipment for its nationwide network since 2013.<br />But LG Uplus says this won't cause any complications because it's been using Ericsson equipment... and not Huawei... for networks in and around U.S. military bases.<br />The conference report on the defense budget for 2021... also states funds cannot be used for a reduction in U.S. forces stationed in South Korea... from the current level of 28-thousand-500.<br />This comes amid reports of a possible reduction of U.S. troops in South Korea by the Trump administration... as a bargaining chip in defense cost-sharing talks... and to realign U.S. troops overseas.<br />The bill also includes moves for the U.S. Defense Department to report response measures against a possible chemical weapons threat posed by North Korea.<br />Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.<br />
