US Forces Korea Officially Denies Troop Reduction Rumors… "The United States Has a Firm Commitment to Korea's Defense"

US Forces Korea has officially denied reports regarding the consideration of withdrawing thousands of US troops from Korea by the US administration.

In a statement released on the afternoon of the 23rd, US Forces Korea stated, "The United States has a firm commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea, and we look forward to working with officials of the next Korean administration to maintain and strengthen our unwavering alliance," adding, "The reports that the US Department of Defense will reduce the number of US troops in Korea are not true."

This is a rebuttal to a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 22nd (local time), which cited sources indicating that the Donald Trump administration was considering the withdrawal of thousands of US troops from Korea.

The WSJ claimed that the US Department of Defense is seriously considering relocating approximately 4,500 US troops from Korea to other bases, such as Guam in the Indo-Pacific region.

Both the US and Korean governments have stated, "There has been no discussion regarding the withdrawal of US troops from Korea."

According to the WSJ report, this proposal has not yet been presented to President Trump and is just one of several alternatives, according to officials.

When asked whether there were discussions regarding the reduction of US troops in Korea, the US Department of Defense replied, "There are no policies to announce."

In connection with this, the Korean Ministry of Defense also stated, "There have been no discussions between Korea and the United States regarding the withdrawal of US troops," and emphasized, "US Forces Korea have maintained a strong combined defense posture with our military, deterring North Korean aggression and provocation, thereby contributing to peace and stability on the Peninsula and in the region."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also remarked, "There have been no discussions regarding the withdrawal of US troops between Korea and the United States," highlighting, "US Forces Korea symbolize and underpin the ROK-US alliance, which has deterred North Korean threats and contributed to peace and stability on the Peninsula and in the region for over 70 years."

Image Source: The photo shows an RC-12X Guardrail reconnaissance aircraft taking off from Camp Humphreys, US Forces Korea base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on May 23, 2025. / News1