US President Donald Trump said on the 29th that "the United States is reviewing the possibility of reducing US troops stationed in Germany" and that "a decision will be made soon." While the second Trump administration has publicly committed to realigning US forces overseas, this is the first time it has formalized troop reductions in a specific host nation. Trump has repeatedly hurled sudden verbal bombshells only to retract them shortly afterward. This could again be a temporary pressure tactic aimed at the German government, which has been reluctant to cooperate in the Iran war, but the possibility that actual reductions will be carried out cannot be ruled out. If the reduction of US Forces in Germany (USFG) materializes, it is expected to deal a significant blow to Europe's security order. Having been pressured to dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz, South Korea also worries that it may receive a security bill from the United States once the Iran war ends.
Trump has openly expressed dissatisfaction, saying US forces are making an absolute contribution to defense against North Korea while South Korea is not helping the United States in the Iran war. Korea's Ministry of National Defense stated on the 30th that "there are absolutely no discussions between South Korea and the United States on reducing US Forces Korea." However, Trump views alliances as transactional relationships. There are considerable concerns that in future negotiations, the Trump administration could pressure Seoul to increase defense cost sharing, accept reductions and changes in the character of US Forces Korea, and face additional US tariffs. On top of this, unusual undercurrents are already flowing through the South Korea-US alliance amid Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's "composing nuclear facilities" remarks, the wartime operational control transfer issue, and the Coupang incident.
US Forces Korea Commander Xavier Brunson recently proposed a concept of integrating the intelligence and command systems of South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines into a single "kill web" as a way to counter the growing threats from North Korea, China, and Russia. The remarks suggest that the US military could move to adjust allied force deployments to expand its strategic flexibility. Although Korea's military capabilities are among the world's highest, the reality that America's "extended deterrence" remains the principal means of countering North Korea's nuclear threat cannot be ignored. With North Korea's level of provocation threats rising further this year, growing South Korea-US conflict could lead to miscalculation by Pyongyang. The deterrent power of US Forces Korea is essential to maintaining the peace order on the Korean Peninsula. Based on close communication with the United States, Seoul must firmly uphold the South Korea-US alliance and ensure that national interests and security do not waver in the slightest.
