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U.S. General Uses 'Dagger' and 'Shield' Terms for South Korea and Japan
A U.S. Army general described South Korea and Japan with the terms 'dagger' and 'shield' during a May 22 podcast. Chinese officials later issued a statement questioning the remarks and referencing a recent meeting between U.S. and Chinese leaders.
May 30, 12:23 PM·1m read2 sources
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A four-star U.S. Army general used the words 'dagger' and 'shield' to describe South Korea and Japan during a May 22 podcast interview with the United States Army War College. The remarks drew a response from the Chinese embassy in South Korea, which issued what it called a 'solemn warn[ing]' nearly a week later.
The embassy asked whether the comments were authorized by Washington or challenged the consensus reached at a Beijing meeting between U.S. and Chinese leaders.
The embassy also referenced earlier descriptions of South Korea as a 'fixed aircraft carrier' and questioned whether the language showed 'belligerence' or an intent to use other countries as 'pawns,' according to the South China Morning Post. President Donald Trump traveled to Beijing in mid-May to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Several members of the Trump administration accompanied him on the trip.
The general, identified as Xavier Brunson, responded that the comments aimed to help War College students understand regional perspectives. Brunson said the remarks were intended to advise service leaders on capabilities in the Republic of Korea and encouraged listeners to review the full podcast and speech for context. The exchange was recorded and posted on social media.
