'주한미군 감축 옵션' 한미 외교가 주시…방위비협상 영향 촉각<br /><br /> The U.S. Department of Defense has reportedly presented the White House, options to cut the American military presence in South Korea,... sparking concern in Seoul.<br />This comes as the allies remain at odds over the Trump administration's demand for Seoul to significantly hike its contribution toward defense cost sharing. <br />Kim Hyo-sun reports. <br /> The South Korean government is on edge again as the U.S. weighs a possible troop reduction on the Korean Peninsula.<br />The Wall Street Journal reports that the Pentagon offered the White House in March options to cut the number of some 28-thousand troops stationed in South Korea,... as part of a comprehensive examination to cut back on military deployments globally. <br />Citing an unnamed U.S. military official,... the report explained that no decision has been made yet.<br />Responding to an written inquiry by Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency,... a Pentagon official said the military routinely reviews Washington's global force posture. <br /> The report echoes remarks made by the Pentagon chief, in which he said Washington is working toward (quote) "reallocating, reassigning, and redeploying" its forces around the world. <br />Mark Esper explained this is in accordance with the National Defense Strategy,... adding the Indo-Pacific Command -- which the U.S. Forces Korea is part of -- will be reviewed first in the coming months. <br />Watchers say it looks like the Trump administration is again pressuring Seoul to increase its share of defense costs.<br />While the previous agreement between the allies -- the Special Measures Agreement -- expired at the end of last year,... Seoul and Washington have yet to conclude their negotiations,... amid President Trump's demand for South Korea to pay 1-point-3 billion U.S. dollars -- a roughly 50 percent increase from the previous year. <br /> Seoul has been insisting on a 13 percent hike from what it paid in 2019.<br />Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News. <br />
