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 correspondent: Two martyrs in an Israeli drone strike targeting the town of Dabaal in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese Health Ministry: One person killed in Israeli drone strike on vehicle in road to Srifa, Tyre municipality.
Legendary Lebanese Artist Ziad al-Rahbani passes away at age 69.
Mehr: Attack on Zahedan court began by targeting building and attackers opening fire on civilians.
Mehr: Terrorist Jaish al-Adl group claims responsibility for attack on Zahedan court.
Mehr: Three terrorists involved in attack on Zahedan court killed.
Mehr News Agency: Terrorist attack on Zahedan Courthouse resulted in martyrdom of 5 people and 13 others injured in preliminary toll.
Iran State TV: Visitors and court employees being evacuated from site of incident with help of security, police forces.
Iran State TV: A number of wounded have been evacuated from inside the building with the help of ambulance crews, and were transported to medical centers.
Iran State TV: Courthouse in Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, comes under terrorist attack perpetrated by armed gunmen.

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 struggles to deflect pressure over Epstein ties: Reuters

South Korea officials to head to US as trade deal deadline looms

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

Israeli air defense system fires to intercept a missile launched from Yemen as its seen from the Occupied Territories, Wednesday, June 10, 2025 (AP)

'Israel' thrown into confusion after YAF launch Palestine-2 missile

  • Politics
  • 22 Jul 2025
The right wing love affair with Zionism has ended

The right wing love affair with Zionism has ended

  • Opinion
  • 23 Jul 2025
Houthi supporters display a giant Palestinian flag during a weekly anti-US and anti-'Israel' rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday March, 28, 2025 (AP)

Open borders so Yemenis march by hundreds of thousands: Al-Houthi

  • Politics
  • 24 Jul 2025
Lebanese Freedom Fighter Georges Abdallah, who was serving a life in Paris, speaks to supporters upon his arrival at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, July 25, 2025 (AP)

With resistance, road home is never lost: Georges Abdallah from Beirut

  • Politics
  • 25 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
End of an era: Lebanon bids farewell to legendary artist Ziad Rahbani
MENA

End of an era: Lebanon bids farewell to legendary artist Ziad Rahbani

Portugal to recognize state of Palestine
Palestine

Portugal open to recognize Palestine amid divided EU stance

A quiet square in downtown Tehran, Iran, on June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Politics

Jaish al-Adl terror group kills 5 in courthouse attack in Iran

Democrats demand copy of Epstein ‘birthday book’ featuring Trump
US & Canada

Democrats demand copy of Epstein ‘birthday book’ featuring Trump

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