Defense minister dismisses US troop cut fears, stresses alliance stability

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back answers questions during a meeting with reporters in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back dismissed speculation about a possible reduction or withdrawal of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), stressing that the issue has never been raised in Washington and cannot be decided unilaterally under the South Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty.

“No U.S. military leaders or members of Congress have ever mentioned troop cuts or withdrawal. The words ‘reduction’ or ‘withdrawal’ are not even on the table," he said while speaking at a dinner meeting with defense reporters on Tuesday. He emphasized that the alliance is not weakening, but rather becoming stronger.

Reports that Washington is considering shifting U.S. forces to counter China have unsettled Seoul, where many fear such a move would embolden North Korea. The concern is compounded by renewed threats to link America’s military presence to steep increases in South Korea’s defense contributions.

The minister noted the scale of American facilities in South Korea as evidence of the enduring commitment.

“The U.S. operates massive bases in Pyeongtaek and Osan, covering more than 24 million square meters. Even in the U.S., sites of such vast size do not exist. This demonstrates that the alliance is strengthening, not weakening,” he said.

Regarding defense burden-sharing, Ahn emphasized that Seoul’s contribution to the stationing of USFK has already been settled and is not open to renegotiation.

“The cost-sharing agreement concluded last year cannot be rolled back,” he said. At the same time, however, he noted that South Korea must continue to increase its own defense budget, regardless of U.S. pressure. “This is not about what Washington wants. In order to fulfil the conditions for the transfer of operational control and strengthen our ability to counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, we inevitably have to increase defense spending by as much as 8 percent annually,” he explained.

Ahn acknowledged that while the U.S. may focus on indirect costs or logistical support, Seoul’s position is that defense spending must primarily serve South Korea’s security needs and long-term alliance commitments.

Turning to inter-Korean issues, Ahn said the 2018 Comprehensive Military Agreement, commonly known as the Sept. 19 accord, is “suspended, not scrapped.”

The landmark military pact established extensive land, sea and air buffer zones and halted hostile acts between the two Koreas to prevent accidental border clashes.

“It cannot be nullified unilaterally. Both sides would need to agree,” he said. “North Korea has declared itself a separate state and shut the door to dialogue, which makes restoration difficult. But even during wartime, talks continued. We must start from lower-level exchanges, such as cultural and civilian ones, so that military confidence-building can follow.”

He pointed to recent steps such as halting border loudspeaker broadcasts as examples of practical measures that could be reinstated. “North Korea is both an adversary and compatriot. We need to keep channels open, even if progress is slow,” he said.

The minister also expressed concern about Pyongyang’s growing military ties with Moscow.

“This is not just symbolic diplomacy, but a genuine partnership. Russia could provide advanced technology in exchange for North Korean troops,” he said.

He cited potential risks ranging from nuclear-powered submarines to the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile. Ahn added that reports of thousands of North Korean combat engineers arriving in Russia and Pyongyang’s stated intention to launch more reconnaissance satellites highlight the need to remain vigilant.

“Our forces are closely monitoring the situation with allied reconnaissance assets,” he said. “We will reinforce missile defense and anti-submarine capabilities to maintain a robust deterrent posture.”