[Yang Nak-gyu's Defense Club] U.S. Forces Korea Reduction Rumors - ① Calls for Withdrawal Since the 1970s

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] As the U.S. Department of Defense has expressed its intention to expand the rotational deployment of U.S. troops and strengthen strategic flexibility, the debate over the reduction or withdrawal of U.S. forces stationed in Korea is resurfacing. This situation is somewhat similar to when former U.S. President Jimmy Carter pledged to withdraw U.S. forces from Korea during his presidential campaign in the 1970s, and now President Donald Trump is advocating for a reduction of U.S. troops in Korea ahead of the election.

On June 30, 1979, President Jimmy Carter engaged in a heated "verbal battle" with President Park Chung-hee over the issue of withdrawing U.S. forces from Korea and found himself in deep contemplation. Although he had vowed to fulfill his campaign promise to withdraw U.S. troops from Korea, persuading President Park, who showed desperate resistance, and the U.S. Congress, which was filled with negative public opinion, was a "challenge among challenges."

After returning to Washington, President Carter immediately instructed his diplomatic aide, Zbigniew Brzezinski, the White House National Security Advisor, to review multiple options, and about ten days later, a report was placed on his desk.

The report contained four options. The first was to proceed with the planned withdrawal of U.S. forces from Korea but to reconsider the withdrawal issue in 1981. The second was to withdraw two combat units, the A-Howk Battalion, and support troops by 1980, and to reconsider the withdrawal of the remaining forces of the 2nd Division in 1981. The third was to withdraw support troops but postpone the withdrawal of combat units and adjust the scale of withdrawal according to the restoration of military balance between North and South Korea and progress in easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The fourth was to delay the withdrawal and review the issue again in early 1981.

U.S. President Trump also denied the necessity of U.S. forces in Korea. In the introduction of his book Time to Get Tough, Trump pointed out, "Currently, 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in Korea. The Korean military numbers 600,000; why are U.S. troops needed? (Omitted) Why does the Korean government not bear (enough) of the cost?"

As controversy arose, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun rushed to calm the situation. Appearing at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on "U.S. Policy Toward China," Biegun responded to Senator Chris Coons (Democrat, Delaware)'s question, "Do you think troop reductions will invigorate the (U.S.-Korea) alliance or put it at some risk?" by saying, "I believe a significant U.S. military presence in the region strongly promotes U.S. security interests in East Asia."

Following the Wall Street Journal's report on March 17 that the U.S. Department of Defense presented options for reducing U.S. forces in Korea to the White House, concerns about the reality of troop reduction rumors have spread, but it appears that the U.S. has drawn a line on this issue for now.