S. Korea-U.S. Agreement on Troop Cut Reported Near
The United States and South Korea are near agreement that 5,000 to 6,000 American troops will be withdrawn this year to meet U.S. congressional demands and defense budget cuts, it was reported here Wednesday.
Quoting unidentified South Korean government sources, the national news service Yonhap said the two governments discussed restructuring of American troops in South Korea, including reductions, in connection with a bill sponsored by Sens. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) and John W. Warner (R-Va.).
The U.S. 8th Army headquarters in Seoul refused to comment on the report.
About 43,000 American troops, including the 2nd U.S. Infantry Division, are stationed in South Korea under a mutual defense pact. U.S. troops fought on the side of South Korea after Communist North Korea invaded to start the 1950-53 Korean War.
The congressional bill sponsored by Nunn and Warner requires the U.S. Administration to report by April 1 on measures to reorganize American forces in East Asia, including South Korea.
Washington has said repeatedly that U.S. troops will not be withdrawn as long as South Korean officials feel they are needed.
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