Trump Orders Pentagon to Prepare Options to Cut US Troops in South Korea

Peace treaty would reduce need for US troops on peninsula

Jason Ditz 

Posted onMay 3, 2018CategoriesNewsTagsSouth Korea, Trump

Amid growing progress toward a deal to end the Korean War, President Trumphas ordered the Pentagon to begin drawing up options for a substantial drawing down of US ground troops deployed in South Korea. Roughly 30,000 US troops are currently deployed in South Korea.

North Korea is not demanding a US drawdown, and South Korea opposes such a move. US officials agree, however, that if a peace deal is reached the US simply won’t have a reason to keep so many troops on the Korean Peninsula.

Defense Secretary James Mattis had previously hinted at a possible pullout of US troops from South Korea earlier this week, saying it would involve consulting with allies. Such a move is unlikely to happen in the very near future, as such a large deployment would involve substantial debate.

Trump’s specific order to start drawing up plans reflects growing confidence in the diplomatic process with North Korea. Trump is set to have a summit with Kim Jong-un at some point in the next several weeks, which could be a major breakthrough in relations, and further advance the cause of peace.

https://news.antiwar.com/2018/05/03/trump-orders-pentagon-to-prepare-options-to-cut-us-troops-in-south-korea/