South Korea’s defense ministry has firmly denied any discussions with the United States regarding the withdrawal of American troops stationed in the country. This statement follows a report from the Wall Street Journal, which cited U.S. defense officials suggesting that Washington is contemplating a partial troop withdrawal. The report indicated that around 4,500 troops may be relocated from South Korea to other destinations, potentially including Guam.
The U.S. maintains approximately 28,500 troops in South Korea, a critical security arrangement aimed at deterring threats from North Korea, which possesses nuclear capabilities. This military presence has been a cornerstone of the alliance between the two nations.
In the backdrop of these discussions, former President Donald Trump had previously indicated that if he were to return to the White House, South Korea would need to significantly increase its financial contribution to hosting U.S. forces.
In response to the Wall Street Journal report, South Korea’s defense ministry emphasized that there have been no talks regarding troop withdrawals. “There has been no discussion whatsoever between South Korea and the United States regarding the withdrawal of the United States Forces Korea,” the ministry stated clearly.
The two allies recently solidified their partnership by signing a five-year agreement to share the costs associated with the U.S. military presence in South Korea. Under this agreement, South Korea has committed to an 8.3 percent increase in its financial contribution for 2026, raising it to approximately 1.52 trillion won (around $1.1 billion).
The South Korean defense ministry reaffirmed the importance of U.S. Forces Korea, stating that they play a vital role in maintaining a robust defense posture in conjunction with South Korean military forces. This collaboration is seen as essential for deterring North Korean aggression and ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the broader region. They also reiterated their commitment to ongoing cooperation with the U.S. to strengthen this strategic role moving forward.
United States Forces Korea did not provide comments on the matter when approached by AFP, directing any inquiries regarding troop deployments back to Washington.
