A policy document issued by the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) on Friday indicated that Washington expects to play a “more limited” role in deterring North Korea, shifting greater responsibility to South Korea—a move likely to raise concerns in Seoul.

South Korea currently hosts around 28,500 U.S. troops as part of a joint defense arrangement against potential military threats from North Korea, and has increased its defense budget by 7.5% this year.

According to the National Defense Strategy, which guides Pentagon policy, “South Korea is capable of assuming primary responsibility for deterring North Korea, with vital but more limited U.S. support.”