Pentagon weighs troop relocation in major Asia strategy shift

• The Pentagon is considering relocating 4,500 soldiers from South Korea to the island of Guam and other locations within 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 emphasises that this is just one of the options. In April, US military commanders warned against reducing forces in Korea.
• Withdrawing troops could cause concern in the region, particularly in the context of potential conflicts with North Korea, China, or Russia.

The Pentagon is preparing a plan to relocate approximately 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 locations in the Indo-Pacific region. "WSJ" notes that this is merely 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 regarding the direction of the war in Ukraine and whether the administration will continue to support Kyiv militarily. American officials cited by the newspaper state 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 had already expressed his desire to withdraw troops from South Korea during his first term, putting pressure on Seoul to increase its share of the costs associated with stationing soldiers.