Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al-Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Blida municipality building two hours after occupying it, and the Lebanese army enters
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City

US and S. Korea dismiss report of troop reduction, reaffirm alliance

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 23 May 2025 18:38
4 Min Read

The backdrop to the speculation includes ongoing discussions over the cost of maintaining US troops in Asia.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    A South Korean army K1E1 tank crosses a floating bridge on the Imjin River during a joint river-crossing exercise between South Korea and the United States as a part of the Freedom Shield military exercise in Yeoncheon, South Korea, on March 20, 2025 (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)

South Korea's defense ministry on Friday firmly denied reports that the United States is planning to scale back its military presence in the country. The clarification comes in response to a Wall Street Journal article alleging that Washington is considering withdrawing approximately 4,500 of the 28,500 US troops currently stationed in South Korea, possibly redeploying them to other Indo-Pacific locations such as Guam.

"There have been no discussions whatsoever" with Washington regarding any troop withdrawal, the ministry stated, reiterating its commitment to cooperating with the US under the pretext of maintaining "deterrence" against the DPRK.

US Defense Department chief spokesperson Sean Parnell echoed that stance on X (formerly Twitter), writing: "Reports that the DoD will reduce US troops in the Republic of Korea are not true." He reiterated the US commitment to its alliance with Seoul.

The Wall Street Journal noted that the proposal to cut troops is part of an informal internal review tied to broader US policy considerations toward the DPRK and Indo-Pacific strategy. It has not yet reached President Donald Trump, who is reportedly evaluating several foreign policy options as part of a comprehensive reassessment of military deployments abroad.

The backdrop to the speculation includes ongoing discussions over the cost of maintaining US troops in Asia. Although Seoul and Washington signed a five-year cost-sharing agreement last year, President Trump has signaled that troop presence expenses could be reopened as part of trade negotiations—an approach South Korean officials have consistently opposed. Seoul maintains that security contributions should not be entangled with economic bargaining.

Related News

Trump directs Pentagon to begin nuclear weapons testing

Trump: South Korea to build nuclear submarine in Philadelphia shipyard

Instability Decides

This diplomatic discord comes as South Korea reels from political instability. The country is set to hold a snap presidential election on June 3, following the disgraceful downfall of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted after a failed bid to impose martial law in December—an act that starkly revealed the authoritarian instincts of the regime.

The election unfolds against the backdrop of mounting scrutiny over South Korea's security dependence on the US. Trump's return to office has reignited debates over military cost-sharing and the strategic role of American forces in Asia. Although a five-year defense cost agreement was signed last year, Trump has signaled that Seoul's financial contributions could be reexamined as part of broader trade negotiations—an approach South Korean officials have resisted, insisting that defense and commerce remain separate.

Reaed more: DPRK reports 'serious' accident at warship launch ceremony 

Front-running candidate Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party currently holds a narrowing lead in the polls, with 45% support. His conservative rival, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, has climbed to 36% and gained traction by expressing openness to Trump's push for renegotiating the US troop presence deal.

The campaign has been marred by tension and security threats, particularly toward Lee, who has taken to wearing a bulletproof vest after credible assassination plots—some allegedly linked to supporters of the deposed Yoon regime.

Roughly 44.39 million citizens are eligible to vote. The results of the June 3 election could significantly reshape South Korea's foreign policy, its alliance with the US, and the broader security architecture of the Indo-Pacific at a time of intensifying regional power shifts.

  • United States
  • DPRK
  • South Korea

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Displaced Sudanese who fled El-Fasher after the city fell to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), rest near the town of Tawila in war-torn Sudan's western Darfur region (AP)
Politics

UAE directly funded RSF, leading to fall of El-Fasher: Sudan

'You’re not welcome in Greece': Israelis face port protests
Politics

'You’re not welcome in Greece': Israelis face port protests

This photo released by the Israeli military on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, shows ground operations inside the Gaza Strip (AP)
Politics

IOF soldier who fought in Gaza, Lebanon denied entry to Czech Republic

UN inquiry exposes 'Israel’s' four genocidal crimes against Gaza
Politics

'Israel' committed four genocidal acts in Gaza, UN inquiry finds

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS