TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) on Friday, May 23, denied a report from The Wall Street Journal that President Donald Trump's administration was thinking about pulling out around 4,500 troops from South Korea.
Sean Parnell, chief spokesperson and senior advisor to the Pentagon, told news agency Yonhap, as quoted by Korea JoongAng Daily, that the withdrawal report is "not true."
"Reports that the Department of Defense will reduce U.S. troops in the Republic of Korea (ROK) are not true," Parnell said.
"The U.S. remains firmly committed to the defense of the ROK and we look forward to working with the incoming government officials to maintain and strengthen our iron clad alliance,” he added.
The USFK reaffirmed this position in a statement issued on the same day.
The previous day, the WSJ reported that the United States was considering withdrawing about 4,500 troops from South Korea and relocating them to other Indo-Pacific locations, including its territories in Guam.
According to Anadolu, citing unnamed U.S. officials, one of the options being considered by the Pentagon is to withdraw troops and move them to other locations in the Indo-Pacific region, including Guam.
However, the report noted that this proposal had not yet been presented to Trump for approval. Currently, approximately 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea.
The report claimed this was one of several ideas being discussed by senior U.S. officials during a review process.
Last month, Admiral Samuel Paparo Jr., Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, opposed plans to withdraw all troops from South Korea. Paparo warned that such a move could jeopardize the U.S.'s ability to prevail against North Korea and in potential conflicts with China and Russia.
The South Korean Ministry of Defense, as quoted by news agency Yonhap, stated on Friday that there have been no discussions between Seoul and Washington regarding a possible troop withdrawal from the East Asian country.
"The USFK, a core force of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, has contributed to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region by working together with our military to maintain a robust combined defense posture and by deterring North Korea's aggression and provocations," the ministry said.
An unnamed Pentagon spokesperson also told the news agency that no policy announcement has been made regarding a potential reduction of U.S. troops in the region.
As reported by Korea JoongAng Daily, since his first term in office, Trump has repeatedly questioned the necessity of approximately 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea, often viewing the alliance from a cost perspective. He consistently demanded that the South Korean government pay more for the U.S. military presence and appeared to use troop reduction or withdrawal as a negotiating tactic.
Although a partial withdrawal of U.S. troops from South Korea was reportedly reviewed during Trump's first term, it was ultimately not implemented due to opposition from his aides. The debate is intensifying amidst increasing calls to expand the USFK's strategic flexibility beyond its role of defense against North Korea to address wider regional threats, such as a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
Editor’s Choice: Israeli Embassy Staff Shot in Washington, DC: What We Know So Far
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
International Students in 'Panic Mode' After Trump Announces Harvard Ban
5 jam lalu
One in four Harvard students are from abroad, making Trump's decision have a massive impact on the campus community.
Trump's Escalating Crackdown on Harvard: Chronology Explained
7 jam lalu
Harvard's standoff with the Trump administration has resulted in the ban on admission for international students.
Trump Bans Harvard from Admitting Foreign Students
10 jam lalu
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's reason for the ban is Harvard's refusal to meet Trump's demands
Israeli Embassy Staff Shot in Washington, DC: What We Know So Far
11 jam lalu
The Israeli Embassy staff shooter is a 30-year-old resident of Chicago and has been active in political and social activities
US Confirms Receipt of Qatari Luxury Jet Intended for Trump
14 jam lalu
The U.S. has received a luxury jet from Qatar to be converted into President Donald Trump's Air Force One presidential plane
Falling Birth Rates: Countries with Lowest Fertility Rates as Japan Tackles Shrinking Population
1 hari lalu
Turns out Japan is not the country with the lowest birth rate. Here's a list of 20 other countries.
Israeli Diplomats Fatally Shot in Washington, DC
1 hari lalu
Two Israeli diplomats were shot in Washington, DC, United States. The assailant reportedly shouted, "Free Palestine."
Rayong: Asia's Top Destination for Solo Travelers
1 hari lalu
Why has Rayong, a coastal city in Thailand, become the Asian best slow travel destination?
Trump's Tariff Increases Shake US World Leadership, Says Indonesian Expert
1 hari lalu
A UII researcher said Trump's tariff phenomenon is a wake-up call to the world that global stability cannot be placed on one country's shoulders
The De-dollarization Movement: Responding to the Trade War Initiated by the US
1 hari lalu
A researcher from UII stated that countries around the world are engaging in a movement towards de-dollarization in response to the trade war initiated by the United States
