Seoul: South Korea's defense ministry said Friday it has not held any discussions with the Pentagon over the possibility of scaling back U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) troops stationed in South Korea. The remark came in response to a report by The Wall Street Journal that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is considering withdrawing some 4,500 troops of the 28,500-strong USFK and relocating them to other locations in the Indo-Pacific, including Guam.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean defense ministry emphasized the importance of USFK as a core strength of the South Korea-U.S. alliance. It highlighted the role of USFK, alongside South Korea's military, in contributing to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the region. The USFK maintains a firm combined defense posture and deters North Korea's invasion and provocation.

The ministry affirmed its commitment to continue cooperating with the U.S. to advance their shared goals. Meanwhile, a Pentagon spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency that there are no policy announcements to make regarding any potential USFK troop reduction.