Pentagon Gives Trump Options for Cutting Troop Levels in South Korea

Cuts loom as Trump's demand for higher payments failed to lead to a deal

Suggesting that a cut may be announced soon, the Pentagon has reportedly provided a review of force options in South Korea, and given President Trump different options for reducing the number of troops in the country.

This follows months of Trump pushing South Korea to pay more for US troops, and failing to secure new deals. This latest announcement is likely leverage on the US threats to cut troops if they don’t get more money out of Seoul.

The US has about 28,500 troops in South Korea. It’s not clear the cuts being considered. The Pentagon referred reporters to the White House, and the White House just flat out refused to comment on the matter.

However much of the cut they want, they will face resistance in Congress, where several resolutions have aimed to prohibit unilateral cuts without Congressional approval.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.