U.S. Considers Withdrawing Troops from South Korea: Strategic Recalibration and Regional Repercussions
Introduction
In late May 2025, reports emerged that the Trump administration is considering a significant reduction in the U.S. military presence in South Korea, with a proposal to withdraw approximately 4,500 troops—about 16% of the 28,500-strong United States Forces Korea (USFK)—and redeploy them to other Indo-Pacific locations such as Guam. While the Pentagon and South Korean officials have publicly denied that any such decision is imminent or that formal discussions are underway, the mere prospect of a U.S. drawdown has sent ripples of anxiety across the region. This episode comes amid heightened tensions with North Korea, a rapidly evolving U.S.-China rivalry, and a period of political transition in Seoul, raising urgent questions about the future of the U.S.–South Korea alliance, extended deterrence, and the broader security architecture of Northeast Asia.
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the origins, strategic context, regional reactions, and potential consequences of the U.S. troop withdrawal deliberations. It examines the motivations behind the policy review, the interplay with regional security dynamics, and the implications for the U.S. alliance system and deterrence posture in the Indo-Pacific.
