U.S. Considers Withdrawing Troops From South Korea
Pentagon is weighing the withdrawal of 4,500 troops from South Korea, potentially relocating them to Guam.
The Trump administration is considering a significant reduction in its military presence in South Korea, with a proposal to withdraw approximately 4,500 troops and reposition them to Guam or other Indo-Pacific locations. According to defense officials cited by The Wall Street Journal, the option is part of an informal policy review tied to North Korea and broader strategic concerns, including the growing challenge posed by China.
Though no final decision has been made, the plan reflects President Trump's long-standing skepticism of the US troop footprint in South Korea.
Senior US military leaders have pushed back against any drawdown, warning that it would weaken deterrence in a volatile region. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of US Forces Korea, told Congress that reducing troops “becomes problematic,” while Adm. Samuel Paparo, the top Indo-Pacific commander, emphasized that such a move would “reduce our ability to prevail in conflict.”
Their concerns highlight strategic anxieties about maintaining a credible defense posture in light of Chinese aggression and North Korea’s expanding missile capabilities.
Seoul and Washington Diverge on Strategy
South Korea’s Ministry of Defense declined to comment on the discussions but reiterated its commitment to a combined deterrence posture with the United States. The potential withdrawal comes shortly after North Korea launched cruise missiles into the East Sea, a provocative signal following Pyongyang’s formal abandonment of peaceful reunification and declaration of Seoul as its “primary enemy.”
Meanwhile, Elbridge Colby, undersecretary of defense for policy, has called for a shift in responsibilities—encouraging South Korea to shoulder more of the conventional defense burden while the US pivots to China-focused capabilities.
The proposal underscores the evolving nature of US military strategy in Asia. With regional flashpoints escalating—from Taiwan to the South China Sea—the Pentagon is exploring force realignments that balance deterrence with flexibility.
Guam, increasingly vital to US operations, is seen as a secure hub that can project power while reducing vulnerability to direct attack. Yet any pullback from Korea risks undermining the long-standing alliance with Seoul and emboldening adversaries in Pyongyang and Beijing.
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