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@ War Monitor
2025-05-23 12:28:43
According to a report published today by The Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration has instructed the Pentagon to draft a plan for withdrawing approximately 4,500 troops from South Korea, with the intention of redeploying them to other bases throughout the Indo-Pacific, including Guam. The plan is reportedly being prepared for President Trump as part of an informal policy review concerning the U.S. approach to North Korea.
This directive comes despite strong opposition from nearly all senior military commanders in the region. Both General Xavier Brunson, Commander of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), and Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), recently warned Congress that reducing troop levels in South Korea could undermine the United States’ ability to counter threats from North Korea, as well as other potential conflicts involving China and Russia in Northeast Asia.
Any consideration of a troop withdrawal— even a partial one— would likely raise significant concerns in South Korea and among other U.S. allies in the region, particularly Japan and the Philippines, who depend on close military coordination with Washington to bolster their defenses and to project power in response to China’s growing influence.
Earlier today, the Republic of Korea Armed Forces issued a statement indicating that the United States has not discussed any form of troop withdrawal or reduction with them. They also emphasized that both countries remain committed to maintaining their combined defense posture to deter any potential aggression from North Korea.
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