Defense minister downplays troop cut concerns, cites broader US Army reforms

An Apache helicopter takes off at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Aug. 12, 2024. Newsis

Korea’s defense minister on Friday rejected speculation that the recent deactivation of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter unit here signals a reduction in U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), saying the move appears to be part of a broader transformation of the U.S. Army.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back told reporters that the suspension of operation at the unit should not be interpreted as a troop cut. When asked whether this indicated a reduction in number from the current 28,500-strong USFK, Ahn said, “I do not think that is the case.”

“There seem to be a number of changes underway within the U.S. Army related to Apache helicopters,” Ahn said. “This does not appear to be an issue limited to U.S. Forces in Korea, but rather part of reforms taking place across the U.S. Army as a whole.”

His comments followed a U.S. congressional report which revealed that the 5th Air Cavalry Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment at the main U.S. base of Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, ceased operations in the middle of December. The unit had operated Apache attack helicopters and reconnaissance assets, prompting questions over whether the move was connected to a wider adjustment to the U.S. military presence on the Korean Peninsula.

Ahn said that he plans to visit Camp Humphreys on Tuesday and seek further clarification from U.S. military officials.

“I will be visiting Camp Humphreys on Jan. 6, and I intend to hear firsthand about the circumstances surrounding this decision,” he said. “It would not be appropriate to draw conclusions based on speculation alone.”

An official from the defense ministry echoed this view, noting that the role of attack helicopters has increasingly been called into question in modern warfare. “There have been growing debates over the effectiveness of Apache helicopters in contemporary combat environments,” the official said. “We understand this change in that context.”

Ahn stressed that the deactivation does not affect the defense posture of Seoul and Washington. “Our combined defense readiness remains intact,” he said, adding discussions with U.S. forces are ongoing and closely coordinated.