Seoul: South Korea's top diplomat has confirmed that the presence and role of U.S. forces stationed in the country will remain unchanged, despite ongoing speculation about potential troop reductions by President Donald Trump's administration as part of a military strategy shift.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun made these remarks in an interview with The Washington Post. The speculation surrounds the possibility of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea being redeployed for operations outside the Korean Peninsula, aligning with the Trump administration's focus on countering China's growing assertiveness.

The discussion about potential troop reductions has gained momentum amid suggestions that Washington could seek to reshape its alliance with Seoul, including increased defense spending and broader "modernization" efforts to address the Chinese threat. Cho emphasized that ongoing talks with the United States have not raised concerns about the current U.S. military presence in Korea. "We believe that they will remain as such, and their role will remain as of today," he stated.

In addressing the hypothetical scenario of a troop drawdown, Cho expressed confidence that it would not materialize, citing reassurances from U.S. senators during his recent visit to Washington, where he met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials.

Regarding relations with China, Cho noted that under the leadership of the new Lee Jae Myung government, South Korea aims to maintain positive ties with China, despite challenges posed by its economic and geopolitical rise. He emphasized the importance of upholding international law in both bilateral and regional affairs and expressed South Korea's willingness to collaborate with Japan and the United States in addressing challenges posed by China.

Cho highlighted a recent tariff agreement with the Trump administration as a "win-win" proposal, aimed at reducing the U.S. trade imbalance while allowing South Korea to maintain its leading position in manufacturing. The agreement includes lowering the U.S. tariff rate for South Korea to 15 percent and South Korea's commitment to investing $350 billion in U.S. industries, reflecting the importance of the economic partnership amid geopolitical challenges in Northeast Asia.