The United States has proposed withdrawing 12,000 of its 37,000 troops stationed in South Korea by 2006.
US officials told South Korean counterparts of the plans ahead of talks in Seoul on troop issues.

The reduction would include 3,600 troops which Washington has already earmarked for redeployment to Iraq.

Washington has insisted there will be no loss of deterrent against North Korea and the move will free money to improve existing infrastructure.

Hmmm, good news or bad?

Good news? S.Koreans probably would be half happy?

That is fine by me. Let them be happy. I will be happy too.

As a Korean, I appreciate Americans for helping us a lot. But now it's the time to stand up alone. I know that there are many issues which may make people worried, but in long term, the cuts will give more political freedom to the Korean government.

zeus89, i agree that korea should assert itself more, but still the US-Korea alliance is very important...

Korea is a small nation wedged inbetween much larger neighbors--China, Japan, and Russia-- the US presence in Korea is essential in preventing these larger nations from pushing Korea around...

For example, what if China started some border skirmishes.... or Japan bombed Dokdo? Korea would be able to do nothing...

but in the future, the US presence in Korea will continue to balance Chinese and Japanese power in NE asia, which is a good thing for Korea....

can i get a whoop whoop for north korean's invading south again?


and how do you stand up against the worlds thrid most (either) efficient or largest army?