- SEOUL (Reuters) - The United
States will spend more than $11 billion over three years to enhance military
capability in South Korea, the U.S. military said on Saturday.
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- The spending was announced as a standoff between the
United States and North Korea, over the North's suspected nuclear weapons
program, showed no sign of easing.
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- The U.S. plan could include deployment of upgraded Patriot
missile systems and both countries are discussing the number of missile
systems to be deployed and when, the U.S. military said in a statement.
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- "These enhancements represent a more than $11 billion
U.S. investment in peninsula security and regional stability," said
General Leon LaPorte, commander of U.S. forces in South Korea.
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- The statement said LaPorte had discussed the plan with
South Korean Defense Minister Cho Young-kil on Thursday. It did not given
any other details.
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- The United States, which backed South Korea in the 1950-53
war against the Communist North, has about 37,000 troops in South Korea.
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