US military leaders in the Indo-Pacific presented negative views about the idea of a US troop reduction in South Korea on Thursday, amid lingering concerns that the Trump administration could seek a troop cut or realignment to focus more on threats from China.
During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, US Indo-Pacific Command Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo Jr. warned the withdrawal or reduction of American troops from South Korea would raise a "higher" likelihood of a North Korean invasion, while US Forces Korea Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson said a troop reduction would be "problematic."
As US President Donald Trump is charging ahead with his "America First" agenda, speculation has persisted that his administration could look to curtail overseas military involvement and call for allies to take greater responsibilities for their own security.
"With the loss of the force on the Korean Peninsula, there's a higher probability that he (North Korea) would invade," Paparo said.
In response to a question regarding whether a significant reduction of the US military presence in Korea is good or bad, the admiral said, "Inherently, it would reduce our ability to prevail in conflict."
USFK Commander Brunson, who also leads South Korea-US Combined Forces Command and UN Command, also struck a negative note.
"To reduce the force becomes problematic ... But what we do provide there, sir, is the potential to impose cost in the East Sea to Russia, the potential to impose costs in the West Sea to China, and to continue to deter against North Korea, as it currently stands," Brunson said.
"I'm trying to focus right now on the capabilities necessary to do all those things that we might participate routinely in the campaign ..., which is to prepare, deter and then prevail in conflict should it come. But the forces in Korea play an important role. In over 75 years, they've done the same."
His remarks suggested that the role of USFK is crucial in not only deterring North Korean threats, but also keeping China and Russia in check.
In his written statement, Brunson highlighted the geographically important location of South Korea.
"The ROK sits at the heart of Northeast Asia, which remains a critical region among great powers and regional actors," he said. ROK is short for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.
In his opening remarks, the USFK commander pointed out that the return on America's investment of its troops in South Korea is "not measured only in dollars, but in terms of access, forward-basing, enduring partnerships and deterrence" -- a mention that apparently underscores the importance of the US' alliance with South Korea.
His remarks came a day after Trump said that the United States has not been "reimbursed" sufficiently for its defense support for South Korea and European allies, hinting that the US will make defense cost-sharing a part of negotiations for a "package" deal with allies and partners over trade and other matters.
The general also thanked South Koreans for their support for the alliance
"I'd also like to thank the Korean people right now for their continued resilience through challenges and hard times," he said.
"I'd like to thank them for their dedication to our alliance, and I'd also like to thank them for their continued provision of an environment that allows us to build, sustain and retain the readiness that we develop on the peninsula." (Yonhap)
