Stillwell: "No Discussions on USFK Reduction within the State Department"

Defense Cost Negotiation Authority: US State Department Denies Possibility of USFK Reduction
Quad Necessity Mentioned Including Korea and Taiwan

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] David Stilwell, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, stated that there are no discussions within the State Department regarding the withdrawal of U.S. Forces Korea.

Assistant Secretary Stilwell appeared at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the 17th (local time) and responded to the question, "There have been reports that the Donald Trump administration is considering the withdrawal of U.S. Forces Korea. Can you confirm that this is no longer being considered?" by saying, "There are no such discussions within the State Department."

Although Stilwell's answer does not represent the entire Trump administration, it is interpreted to mean that there is no link between the withdrawal of U.S. Forces Korea and the defense cost-sharing negotiations, given that the State Department oversees the South Korea-U.S. defense cost-sharing talks.

Some have expressed concerns that the U.S. side might link the reduction of U.S. Forces Korea to the stalled defense cost-sharing negotiations.

At the hearing, Stilwell also addressed relations with China, stating, "The United States, like most countries, will maintain important relations with China," and added, "We are not asking countries to choose between the U.S. and China, but rather to hold China accountable for harmful actions."

Stilwell evaluated that "in strategic competition with China, the strength and solidity of international alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region are very important." He also mentioned, "Concepts similar to the 'Indo-Pacific' have been proposed in Japan, India, Australia, Taiwan, and South Korea." This is interpreted as emphasizing the need to form partnerships including Taiwan and South Korea, in addition to Japan, India, and Australia, which are members of the quadrilateral cooperation framework 'Quad' with the U.S.

In his opening remarks, Stilwell referred to recent visits to Taiwan by Alex Azar, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Keith Krach, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment. Krach is currently visiting Taiwan. Regarding their visits, he said, "This demonstrates that the United States will cooperate with Taiwan on important issues such as global health, and the upcoming talks will enhance our strong economic ties."