If realized, deployment would mark major addition to US air assets in South Korea
The US is considering the permanent deployment of advanced F-35A radar-evading fighter jets to South Korea, the Seoul-based Yonhap news agency reported citing an unnamed source on Sunday.
The US military is considering permanently deploying F-35As at Kunsan Air Base, a US Air Force base located at Gunsan Airport, on the west coast of the Korean peninsula bordered by the Yellow Sea, the source said.
"It will first deploy one squadron, and there is a possibility of rotationally deploying another squadron," the source was quoted as saying by Yonhap News.
If realized, the deployment would mark a major addition to US air assets in South Korea, which consist mostly of older-generation F-16 fighter jets.
F-35s have previously only been temporarily deployed in South Korea for joint training.
In July last year, the US 7th Air Force in South Korea announced the relocation of nine F-16s from Kunsan Air Base to establish a "Super Squadron" of 31 fighter jets at Osan Air Base.
Osan Air Base is a US Air Force and South Korean Air Force base located near Songtan station in the city of Pyeongtaek, 64 kilometers (39.8 miles ) south of Seoul.
F-35s are considered to be capable of flying deep into enemy territory without being detected.
South Korean Air Force currently operates 39 F-35As and plans to acquire another 20.
North Korea has frequently blasted the deployment of key US military assets to South Korea, accusing Washington of escalating tensions.
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