U.S. could withdraw troops from S. Korea amid tensions with China

The U.S. is reportedly exploring the option of relocating more than 4-thousand American troops from South Korea to elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific.

The idea is yet to be confirmed by President Trump, but raises concerns over security on the Korean Peninsula.

Our foreign affairs correspondent Bae Eun-ji covers this report.

The U.S. is reportedly considering withdrawing around 4-thousand-500 American troops from South Korea to Guam or other locations in the Indo Pacific region.

That's about 16-percent of the total number of U.S. forces in South Korea, where there are roughly 28-thousand-500 troops.

Citing defense officials familiar with the matter, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the idea is being developed by the Pentagon, for consideration by Trump as part of an informal policy review. While adding the proposal has yet to reach Trump's desk, it said this is one of several ideas under discussion by senior officials.

Since his first term, Trump has considered changing the U.S. footprint in South Korea --which relies on close coordination with American forces to deter threats from the North.

"It depends. We pay for military over in Europe. We don't get reimbursed by much. South Korea too."

But the head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has presented negative views about the idea of a troop drawdown in a Senate hearing last month, saying the loss of the force on the Korean Peninsula, would mean a higher probability that North Korea would invade.

"As General Brunson said, North Korea's development of advanced nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles pose a direct threat to our homeland and our allies, and are executing a deepening cooperation with Russia."

Trump has been hinting at an attempt to renegotiate a deal on sharing the costs for American troops stationed in Korea, saying Washington cannot be taken advantage of any longer in military and trade.

He's described South Korea as a "money machine," insisting that Seoul should be paying 10 billion dollars a year.

Experts suggest pulling troops out of Korea could mean the Trump administration is looking to redeploy them to areas that better align with priority goals such as countering China.

"What the United States is saying is: we're currently focused on China, so we want our allies to take responsibility in terms of conventional defense capabilities, while we are willing to fully support in areas such as nuclear deterrence. And in return, the U.S. is asking for help in preparing to respond to potential conflicts with China, especially in the event of a Taiwan contingency."

Seoul's defense ministry explained there hasn't been any discussions with Washington over a possible troop reduction.

The Pentagon reportedly said there were no policy announcements to make.

Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.