US Troop Reduction Reports Denied By Seo Soo-min Staff Reporter Government officials and a senior U.S. diplomat yesterday denied a local television report claiming U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld expressed willingness to withdraw troop stationed here during a meeting with a special envoy of the prersident-elect.
On Thursday, MBC, a public broadcasting station, ran a report quoting Rumsfeld as saying that the United States was ready to consider a reduction of its 37,000-strong troops in Korea if South Koreans wanted.
The remarks, allegedly made by Rumsfeld during meeting with President-elect Roh Moo-hyun¡¯s special envoy Chyung Dai-chul earlier this week, was hotly denied by Chyung himself yesterday morning.
``Secretary Rumsfeld never spoke of pulling out or cutting back United States Forces Korea (USFK),¡¯¡¯ Chyung said in a radio interview from Japan yesterday.
``He only proposed that the two sides start discussing the relocation of USFK units from the densely populated area north of the Han River, including the Yonsan Garrison, as well as the Land Partnership Plan (LPP),¡¯¡¯ Chyung added.
Chyung said he accepted the offer, answering negotiations between military authorities could start after President-elect Roh takes office on Feb. 25.
U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Thomas Hubbard also denied the report, saying, ``We have no intention of withdrawing forces from Korea. Our commitment remains strong to continue the stationing of our forces to deter the North¡¯s threat and keep the regional balance.¡¯¡¯
Hubbard noted the changing local political scene and saw it as an opportunity to change the nature of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
``This is a good opportunity for us to have a fresh look at ourselves and our partnerships and to adapt to changing times while retaining the fundamental principles that have been so important to us for so long,¡¯¡¯ Hubbard said at a symposium of scholars, diplomats and government officials discussing the South Korea-U.S. alliance and issues affecting it.
Seoul¡¯s Foreign and Defense Ministries also tried to extinguish the fire yesterday, claiming that such a discussion did not take place.
``We have not heard of such a thing,¡¯¡¯ Defense Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Hwang Young-soo said.
While there are differences about the role of USFK in the future, the dominant view in Seoul is that a drastic cutback or pullout of U.S. forces is not desirable. Last time USFK reduction was discussed in depth was in the early 1990s. As first phase I of the East Asia Strategic Initiative, the U.S. reduced troop numbers by 7,00
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