Defence Secretary Jim Mattis on Thursday assured South Korea of
an “ironclad” commitment to its security, including keeping U.S. troop levels unaltered, even
as diplomats seek an agreement with North Korea on denuclearisation.
Mattis, during a brief visit to Seoul, defended U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to halt
the “war games” with South Korea, saying it would increase the opportunity for diplomats to negotiate.
He added that U.S. and South Korean forces would remain “united, vigilant and ready”.
Critics of Trump’s decision on the joint military exercises say it is a major concession to North Korea that,
if prolonged during what are expected to be lengthy negotiations, risk eroding the readiness of U.S.
and South Korean forces.
North Korea has long sought a suspension of the drills.
Trump has also drawn criticism from national security analysts for an agreement that emerged from his June 12
summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that had few details on how Pyongyang would surrender its
nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
“U.S. commitment to the Republic of Korea remains ironclad and the U.S. will continue to use the full
range of diplomatic and military capabilities to uphold this commitment,” Mattis said in brief remarks
ahead of talks at the South Korean defence ministry.
“And this includes maintaining the current U.S. force levels on the Korean peninsula.”
The U.S. has about 28,500 troops in South Korea.
Still, Mattis has yet to explain how the United States will maintain readiness of U.S.-South Korean forces,
who have long prided themselves on the ability of being able to “fight tonight” if needed.
Washington and Seoul have already suspended planning for the upcoming Freedom Guardian exercise, which
in 2017 involved 17,500 American troops and more than 50,000 South Korean troops.
“The recent decision to suspend the Freedom Guardian exercise creates increased opportunity for our diplomats
to negotiate, increasing prospects for a peaceful solution on the Korean peninsula,” Mattis said,
standing alongside his South Korean counterpart.
“At the same time, the U.S. and (South Korean) forces remain united, vigilant and ready to defend against
any challenge.” (Reuters/NAN)