President Trump has asked the Pentagon to look at options for reducing the number of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as he prepares to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, The New York Times reports.
The U.S. has roughly 28,000 soldiers stationed on the Korean peninsula. It’s unclear if the plans will call for a full or partial withdrawal of troops.
Some at the Pentagon are concerned that bringing troops home from South Korea ahead of Trump’s meeting with Kim could create tensions with neighboring Japan, the Times reported.
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Kim and Trump are expected to meet in the coming weeks as the U.S. pushes for the denuclearization of North Korea. Trump said Tuesday a date and location for the meeting will be announced in the next “couple of days.”
Trump has floated Singapore and the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea as possible meeting locations.
North Korea has reportedly offered to end its nuclear program if the U.S. agrees not to invade the country in the future. However, some are skeptical of the offer, noting North Korea has previously made such overtures without following through.
U.S. officials have urged caution over demands from North Korea to withdraw U.S. troops as part of negotiations.