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Korean Troop Cuts Tempt U.S.
The U.S. Forces Korea are reportedly mulling additional troop cuts after Seoul announced it will trim its own forces down from 680,000 to 500,000 by the year 2020. "When the government announced its plans to cut 180,000 men from the armed forces, the USFK internally started to acknowledge the need for cuts as well,ââ¬? a high-ranking government source said Monday.The source said there were some among USFK brass who wonder whether there is any point maintaining the substantial American contingent here to deter the North Korean threat even as South Korea is slimming down its forces. Personnel cuts got under way after the two allies agreed last October to a 12,500-man reduction in USFK fighting strength -- from 37,000 to around 24,500 -- by 2008. Some in the U.S. military are said to be concerned that Koreaââ¬â¢s own troop reductions could leave the Pentagon without a case to argue in the event the U.S. Congress demands additional withdrawal of troops from Korea. The source said the U.S. was sensitive about troop cuts and had expressed unease that South Korea did not consult it last year before deciding to cut 40,000 troops by 2008. However, a USFK insider said, "No one has brought the issue of further troop reductions up for discussion yet, so at this point it is impossible to foresee what changes will really happen after 2008.ââ¬? Posted by: Phereger Unimble9361 2005-10-04 |
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