South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told lawmakers on Monday that U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) is “solely intended to reinforce deterrence against North Korea,” drawing a clear distinction between Seoul’s defense priorities and Washington’s broader effort to counter China.

Ahn made the remarks during a parliamentary audit of the defense ministry before the National Assembly’s Defense Committee, responding to recent comments by U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll that American troops on the peninsula should be ready to respond to threats from both China and North Korea.