Pentagon's South Korea troop shift raises regional concerns

• The Pentagon is considering relocating 4,500 soldiers from South Korea to the island of Guam and other locations in the Indo-Pacific region. This is part of a policy review concerning North Korea.
• A decision on the number of troops has not yet been made, and the Pentagon emphasizes that this is only one of the options. In April, US military commanders warned against reducing forces in Korea.
• Withdrawing troops could cause concern in the region, especially in the context of potential conflicts with North Korea, China, or Russia.

The Pentagon is preparing a plan to relocate about 4,500 soldiers from South Korea as part of a policy review towards North Korea. According to the "Wall Street Journal," the soldiers may be moved to the American island of Guam and other places in the Indo-Pacific region. "WSJ" notes that this is just one of the options being considered, and the Pentagon stated that no decisions have been made.

A decision on the number of troops will not be made until there is more clarity about the direction of the war in Ukraine and whether the administration will continue to support Kyiv militarily. American officials cited by the newspaper claim that a decision on the number of troops will not be made "until there is more clarity about the direction of the war in Ukraine and whether the administration will keep supporting Kyiv militarily."."

The potential withdrawal of troops from South Korea would likely cause concern throughout the Indo-Pacific region. In April, US military commanders in Asia warned against reducing forces in Korea, stating that it would weaken US capabilities in potential conflicts with North Korea, China, or Russia.

"WSJ" notes, however, that Trump already in his first term expressed the desire to withdraw troops from South Korea, pressuring Seoul to increase its share of the costs of stationing soldiers.