By Lee Han-soo





U.S. Pacific Commander

Harry Harris Jr.

China has demanded that U.S. Pacific Commander Harry Harris be removed in exchange for strengthening sanctions against North Korea, according to Kyodo News citing sources familiar with U.S.-China relations.

The Chinese government made the demand during the Mar-a-lago summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on April 7, the report said Saturday.

However, the source said the U.S. government was unlikely to agree to the Chinese request.

Harris ― who is responsible for U.S. security of the Pacific region ― has emphasized the need to pressure China and North Korea.

He also ordered the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson and its navy strike group to be deployed near the Korean Peninsula in a show of strength when North Korea showed signs of carrying out a nuclear test or a ballistic missile test.

Harris also pushed for a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) to be deployed in South Korea.

This proposal caused major ripples with the Chinese government, which claims the deployment threatens its national security and regional strategic balances.