The former commander of the U.S. Pacific Command stressed that American troops on the Korean Peninsula were there to serve Washington's interests.

Admiral Dennis Blair also said Thursday that the US Forces Korea should remain in the country, even if South and North Korea were reunified in the future.

The naval officer additionally advocated the relocation of American forces from population centers like Seoul, so as to reduce the possibility of civilian injuries caused during military exercises, and to allow these forces to be armed with more advanced weapons systems.