S. Korea Agrees to Larger Role in Own Defense

Defense Secretary Dick Cheney and South Korean officials agreed today to the withdrawal of several thousand U.S. troops over the next three years as Korea “takes the lead” in its own defense.

Cheney and his South Korean counterpart Lee Sang Hoon also pledged to move toward handing over the command of the joint U.S.-Korean military structure--now held by a U.S. four-star general--to a Korean general, the two officials announced.

The developments mark a major change in the two allies’ relationship and may result in the most dramatic contraction of the U.S. forces here since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

The Republic of Korea “can now do more to provide for its own security,” Cheney told reporters.

Referring to the shift toward a smaller U.S. military presence on the strategic peninsula, coupled with South Korea adopting more responsibility for its own defense, Cheney said, “We talked about the United States playing more of a supportive role as the Republic of Korea takes the lead.”

The defense secretary said such steps are made possible by South Korea’s “spectacular record” of economic growth. He said it also is due in part to congressional pressure to slash U.S. defense expenditures, particularly overseas at a time of lessened superpower tensions.

“I accepted in principle the gradual cutback in troop strength” of noncombatant U.S. forces, Lee said, adding that the details of a cutback of about 5,000 to 6,000 soldiers will be left to the two nation’s senior military commanders.

The Korean official said his government will also give “positive consideration” to increasing its support for the U.S. troops stationed here under a 1954 mutual defense pact.