Text Fwd: Seoul, Washington to end talks on U.S. troop flexibility by October

Yonhap News
2010/02/21 11:45 KST
Seoul, Washington to end talks on U.S. troop flexibility by October

SEOUL, Feb. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and the United States plan to conclude bilateral talks this year on the method and procedures for possible overseas redeployment of American troops stationed here, sources here said Sunday.

An informed source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the sides were seeking to conclude the negotiations before they hold the annual defense ministerial talks, known as the Security Consultative Meeting, slated for October.

"Talks are being held between the two sides to conclude the details and procedures of strategic flexibility of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK)," the source said.

Seoul had opposed the flexibility of U.S. troops as it earlier believed the move may lead to, at least temporarily, a reduction of American forces stationed here. The U.S. currently maintains some 28,500 service members as part of joint efforts to deter any hostility from communist North Korea under the Korea-U.S. alliance.

USFK said in a statement earlier this month that a redeployment of its troops, even if necessary, would only be possible in the late 2010s after close consultations with the South Korean government.

Other sources close to the ongoing negotiations said the strategic flexibility of U.S. troops will not affect the number of soldiers stationed here.

"The countries are holding the talks under a condition that the number of U.S. forces here will be maintained at 28,500 at all times," another source in Seoul said, adding the U.S. hopes to exercise such flexibility of its troops here from 2016.

Washington was earlier said to want the strategic flexibility of its troops from 2015 when the relocation of its frontline troops to south of Seoul is to be completed.

The relocation of the troops, however, will likely be delayed by one year due to a delay in the construction of a new expanded U.S. base in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul, the sources said.

bdk@yna.co.kr
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