Trump's 'Reduction of US Forces in South Korea' Raises Concerns in the US as Well

Donald Trump, President of the United States

Concerns are spreading within the United States regarding media reports that President Donald Trump is considering reducing the number of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. Criticism is mounting not only from the ruling Republican Party but also from diplomatic circles, arguing that such a move would be against U.S. national interests.

Ami Bera, Chair of the U.S. House Democratic Asia-Pacific and Nonproliferation Subcommittee, called the Trump administration's possible withdrawal of U.S. forces from South Korea "an irresponsible decision" on the 19th (local time) via his Twitter account. He emphasized, "The partnership with South Korea not only ensures peace and prosperity in the region but also protects U.S. security."

Eliot Engel, Democratic Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed concern about the possibility of reducing U.S. troops in South Korea in an interview with Voice of America (VOA) on the 20th (local time), saying, "We are less safe from North Korea's nuclear weapons and China's threats than we were four years ago."

Former U.S. ambassadors to South Korea have also criticized the rumors of troop reductions. Christopher Hill, a former ambassador, said in an interview with VOA on the 20th, "(The possibility of reducing U.S. troops in South Korea) is music to North Korea's ears," adding, "It could send the wrong message to China, a strategic competitor, and Japan, an ally." Former Ambassador Donald Gregg also stressed, "The U.S. presence on the Korean Peninsula must be maintained, and there needs to be a dialogue about how the U.S. military presence aligns with the interests of both the United States and the host country."

Unusual messages have also come from within the ruling Republican Party. Senator Ben Sasse previously called it "strategic incompetence" on the 17th, and Representative Mark Green emphasized the necessity of maintaining U.S. troops in South Korea, saying, "We need to cooperate with South Korea more than ever."